Riddhiman Saha has been dropped from the Indian Test squad. The Bengal wicketkeeper-batsman then went on to say how Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid have spoken differently about whether or not they will be in the Test squad.
Indian Cricket Board president Sourav Naki assured Riddhiman that as long as he was in charge, Riddhiman would not be dropped from the team. Soon after, India coach Rahul Dravid told him the exact opposite. Dravid called Riddhiman and suggested him to start thinking about ‘retirement’.
Riddhiman scored an unbeaten 61 in the second innings of the first Test of the series against New Zealand in Kanpur in November last year. His innings was crucial for the team in that drawn Test. India, who lost 6 wickets for 103 runs, were able to declare the innings with 234 runs for 6 wickets in the same innings when Riddhiman came down to bat at number eight. Immediately after that innings, Saurabh sent a message to Riddhi on WhatsApp. There he wrote, ‘As long as I am in charge, you are in the team.’
Riddhiman Saha was left out even after batting to save the match in his last innings
Riddhiman Saha was left out even after batting to save the match in his last inningsPhoto: AFP
Riddhi’s 71-run innings in that match was another glory. He could not keep up with the pain in his neck. But in that situation the team has to enter the field with the bat in danger. Riddhi is not in the Indian Test team after two and a half months of playing that innings. He was informed in early February that he would no longer be considered for the Indian Test squad due to his age.
It was a huge shock to Riddhi after Sourav’s message, “Sourav sent me a message on WhatsApp after the Test against New Zealand, where he said,” As long as I am in charge, you will not be dropped from the team. ” Soon after, coach Rahul Dravid called me for a discussion. I thought you might talk about future plans. But he told me to retire. I tell him about Sourav Ganguly. “I don’t know how to tell you, the selection committee has decided not to consider you in the team,” he said. They want a new wicketkeeper. ”
Koz is not as rich as Rahul Dravid
Koz is not as rich as Rahul DravidPhoto: BCCI Twitter
Riddhiman asked Rahul what he was missing. In reply, Rahul said that the matter is entirely up to the selectors. They want someone new and younger. Your omission is not related to performance. Chief selector Chetan Sharma also told him that he had to be dropped due to his age. In this case, his recent performance was not taken into consideration.
Riddhiman Sahar made his Test debut for India in 2010. The 38-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman has scored 1353 runs at an average of 29.41 with 3 centuries in 40 Tests. He spent most of his career in the shadow of Mahendra Singh Dhoni. After Dhoni, he made his place in the Indian Test team. But the Bengali cricketer could not keep up with the young Indian wicketkeepers including Rishabh Pant.