IND vs SL Test series: Childhood coach shuts Wriddhiman Saha retirement talk – Wriddhiman Saha’s childhood coach Jayanta Bhowmik believes that the Indian veteran still has 2-3 years left in his career and is one of the fittest members of the team. The 37-year-old was dropped from the squad for the India vs Sri Lanka series with head coach Rahul Dravid informing the Bengal stalwart that the team was looking at a younger alternative. Both Saha and Dravid have made public comments since then, with Dravid holding onto his stance asking the veteran to respectfully consider retirement. Follow Insidesport.in for all IND vs SL LIVE Updates.
IND vs SL Test series: ‘Mentally strong’ Wriddhiman Saha has 2-3 years of cricket left claims childhood coach being asked to retire
Wriddhiman Saha’s childhood coach believes that the veteran will come back stronger from being “asked to retire” and still has a couple of years left in him. Speaking to India Today, Jayanta Bhowmik lavished praise on his ward, suggesting that the 37-year-old remains one of the fittest in the Indian squad and the best wicketkeeper in the world.
He said, “On what criteria has this decision been taken? This is my question. If you are going to select a player, regardless of any team, the criteria are always fitness and performance. If age is not a criterion, then on what basis has he not been picked? What is the problem? Even in the squad, there are senior cricketers, why Wriddhiman Saha alone will be dropped from the side?”
Jayanta noted that Saha remains mentally strong despite the setbacks and is not trying to extend his career. He added that Saha is amongst the fittest in the team and he knows when to hang his boots and takes his performances seriously. The 37-year-old last played for India in the 2-Test series against New Zealand last year and hit a fighting fifty in the series opener despite battling an injury.
IND vs SL Test series: ‘Mentally strong’ Wriddhiman Saha has 2-3 years of cricket left claims childhood coach being asked to retire
IND vs SL Test series: Bhowik said, “Not just a player, every professional has a particular time to retire. Even Saha has the right time to retire and he knows it very well. He is not someone who talks loose, he is honest and serious about his performance, results and fitness. He is mentally strong even now. He doesn’t want to lose. He knows when to stop. He is 37, I understand. But if his fitness and performance are alright, he can play for another 2-3 years. If you look at the Indian team, in the fitness tests, Saha always is in the top 3 – Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja and then Wriddhiman Saha.”
Saha revealed that he decided to skip the Ranji Trophy to be with his wife who had been unwell but Jayanta believes that the senior wicketkeeper will get back to work and gear up for the Indian Premier League. The 37-year-old was bought by Gujarat Titans at the IPL mega auction. Bhowmik said that it hurts him that Saha was left out without a proper criterion, but hailed Dravid as a gentleman following his comments to the press after the India vs West Indies series.
Jayanta said, “Rahul Dravid is a gentleman. I have heard what he has said. It’s alright. But then, even now Indian team has players who are in their late 30s. Everyone knows that Wriddhiman Saha is still No.1 wicketkeeper in the world. Then, what is the problem?”
IND vs SL Test series: ‘Mentally strong’ Wriddhiman Saha has 2-3 years of cricket left claims childhood coach being asked to retire
Editors pick
