Indian wicketkeepers Rishabh Pant and Wriddhiman Saha have a bit of a tussle going on with their skills with the gloves and with the bat.
While the team management is keen on using the services of Saha in home Tests due to his superior keeping skills; they tend to put Pant ahead of him outside India, where his batting skills become crucial.
Saha was picked in the first Test against Australia in Adelaide but was then replaced by Rishabh Pant for the next three Tests in the recently-concluded series in Australia. He is not really concerned about Pant getting the nod ahead of him and believes in doing his work and letting the team management decide who to pick in the first XI.
AUS v IND 2020-21: ‘He will definitely improve’, Wriddhiman Saha on Rishabh Pant’s keeping skills
Wriddhiman Saha told TOI, “I have been hearing these comparisons since 2018. I believe in doing my job and I am not worried about how Pant is batting. I don't want to change my game because of that. It's up to the team management to decide who will stand behind the stumps.”
The Bengal gloveman is of the opinion that wicketkeeping is a specialist job especially in the longer format of the game. There are times when a missed chance behind the stumps can take away a game from the team and that is the reason wicketkeeping is important for a team’s chances in Test cricket.
“There are situations when a missed chance can change the result of a match. Wicketkeeping is a specialist job, especially in Test cricket. I am not claiming to hold on to every catch that comes my way, but this is a specialist position and should remain so,” he said.
The 36-year-old is most likely to get an opportunity against England at home in the four-match Test series starting from February 5. He is determined to make most of his opportunities and claim a fixed spot in the side.
Pant was criticized after missing a flurry of catches during the series. "Look, now that Pant is keeping I am sure he will work on it and try to get better. The team management is keeping faith in him and I am sure they know what to prioritize - his batting or keeping," Saha added.
Saha said, “I will make the most of every opportunity I get when we face England in Chennai.”
(With inputs from TOI)
