Senior India Test wicket-keeper Wriddhiman Saha has shot back at the rumours of his retirement that have surfaced recently following his decision to opt out of the Bengal’s Ranji Trophy squad due to personal reasons.
Some reports stated Saha had been told by the national selectors that he won’t be selected in India’s squad for the upcoming Sri Lanka series and instead younger stumper KS Bharat would be preferred. Hence, the reports added, Saha may retire; the spark in these reports was further added when Saha pulled out of the Ranji Trophy on personal grounds.
Saha was given the gloves full-time when MS Dhoni retired in 2014. He was the first-choice keeper for the next four years barring injuries when Parthiv Patel and Dinesh Karthik were recalled. Rishabh Pant then became the preferred option when he hit centuries in England and Australia on his maiden tours in those countries. Saha last kept wicket during the New Zealand series in December when Pant was rested.
The senior wicket-keeper has confirmed that he will not retire just because he may be dropped from the national side.
“These are personal decisions. Virat stepping down as captain was his personal decision, so similarly my retirement will be my personal decision. Everyone has a start and an end. But I will not retire just because people have been talking about it. If the team doesn’t like my performance and if they drop me is something I can accept. But I will not leave if people push me,” Saha told Sportstar.
He pointed out that he is still 37-year-old and cricketers have in the past played till 40 and beyond; Wasim Jaffer, the domestic giant, retired aged 42!
“In my career, I have even seen 40-year-old players in international cricket. Some have continued even after 40. Some have quit early, so it is a personal decision. Now, questions are being raised about my career since I am 37, but there are quite a few other players in the team, who are closer to my age. I am curious to know whether they are facing similar questions,” the Bengal cricketer added.
India host Sri Lanka for a 2-Test series later this month. It remains to be seen if Saha retains his place or as reported the selectors go with KS Bharat as Rishabh Pant’s back-up.
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