Calling Wriddhiman Saha the ‘best wicketkeeper in the world’, Virat Kohli today announced that he will be replacing Risabh Pant in the upcoming Test against South Africa.
“We wanted to let Saha ease back into the side” – @imVkohli #TeamIndia #INDvSA @Paytm pic.twitter.com/FyOnvpe7QW
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 1, 2019
Speaking to media, Virat noted:
Yes, Saha is fit and fine to go. He is going to start the series for us. His keeping credentials are for everyone to see. He has done well with the bat whenever he has got a chance. It was unfortunate that he was out with an injury. According to me he is the best keeper in the world.
Training ✔✔#INDvSA pic.twitter.com/aoK3H4xXgR
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 30, 2019
Interestingly, the last Test Saha played for India was during the tour of South Africa in 2018, after which he was ruled out due to injury and Pant was given his place in absence of MS Dhoni.
Saha is now making a comeback, a decision which is getting mixed responses from people on Twitter. Major reason behind it being Pant’s excellent start in the format. He scored centuries in both England and Australia and even though he was unable to continue the run with the bat, people think he deserves another chance.
Saha is obviously a better keeper against spin than Pant. But if you don’t allow Pant to grow now, how the heck will he become better?
— SwingAndSeam (@IsSwingAndSeam) October 1, 2019
You can say it will be unfair to Saha. But Pant is a better batsman and a decent WK. https://t.co/qVTFFFkyJB
Pant dropped for Saha? Not sure how many WK have gone and got tons in England and Australia and been treated like this but my guess would be zero.
— Kieran (@BerbaSpin) October 1, 2019
Have no issues whatsoever with Saha playing. Good luck to him, he is probably the best keeper in the side but what next? The side doesn’t seem to be planning long term. Too many short term goals. Saha may not be around after two years, Pant’s progress is halted despite scoring
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) October 1, 2019
1 year, 8 months and 23 days later Wriddhiman Saha finally gets redemption, will be keeping in the test match against South Africa.
— Joy Bhattacharjya (@joybhattacharj) October 1, 2019
All the best @Wriddhipops.
As for Rishab, he’s too good a player to be down and out for long!https://t.co/7HPB6E4SdH
Wriddhiman Saha’s return as Test ‘keeper is a serious indictment of Rishabh Pant’s abilities behind the stumps against spin! #cricket
— Chandresh Narayanan (@chand2579) October 1, 2019
How will Pant improve his keeping in India if he's not given more matches? Don't see any other reason why he's dropped. It's because of keeping only or else captain and team management are confusing the formats. Rubbish tactics in both the cases
— Saurabh (@Boomrah_) October 1, 2019
Pant dropped from the Test format where he’s broken few records because of his white ball cricket issues. This management will drop Bumrah too some day.
— Shailendra Mourya777 (@ShailendraM777) October 1, 2019
And If you don’t need him for the series, let him play for Delhi then.
Then what about Pant? Few months back,he was a talent now ditched? Typical Kohli. Pant has done nothing wrong in tests. Power hitters just need to clear 30 yard circle in tests.
— Deval Shah (@DevalShah555) October 1, 2019
How will Pant improve his keeping in India if he’s not given more matches? Don’t see any other reason why he’s dropped. It’s because of keeping only or else captain and team management are confusing the formats. Rubbish tactics in both the cases
— Shailendra Mourya777 (@ShailendraM777) October 1, 2019
