Saha reasons out "miscommunication" behind delayed comeback from injury 

The first-choice Indian Test wicketkeeper went through a career-threatning injury layoff.

Wriddhiman Saha | AFP

A thumb injury followed by a shoulder surgery threatened to put a premature end to Wriddhiman Saha's Test career but the man worked extremely hard at the National Cricket Academy and eventually got his place back as India's first-choice wicketkeeper batsman for the recent home series against South Africa. 

However, question marks were raised over the BCCI medical team and its handling of Saha's injury as his shoulder niggle took time to be found out before it aggravated and he had to go under the knife. 

Read Also: Ajay Ratra heaps praise on Wriddhiman Saha as he earns Test spot back

Saha then went through a lengthy rehabilitation programme, turned up for India A in July and was finally brought back into the Test squad in the Caribbean the following month. 

"It was not a case of mishandling rather I would say there was some sort of miscommunication," the 35-year-old told Timesnownews.com. "It is my positive side that I never thought about it negatively." 

"Post my surgery, whatever exercises the medical team used to give me I enjoyed them a lot and gave my 100 per cent."

"And I had a gala time with all the physios, the medical staff and the players present there at that time, and hence it didn’t become boring," Saha added. 

"I just remained positive with just one thing in my mind – to get back to the cricket field again!"

Considered technically the world's best wicketkeeper, Saha said he focusses a lot on keeping himself balanced and following the basics. 

"I focus on staying as low as possible. Everyone has their style when it comes to wicketkeeping and copying someone is not the best of choices I would suggest."

"My keeping stance has turned into a habit after playing and practising for years," he added. "I always focus on the basics like following the ball to my gloves, keeping soft hands, keeping my body in sync with the bounce of the ball or movement."

Read Also: Saha reflects upon competition with Pant, weigh in over D/N Test in Kolkata 

Of course, at his age and with the rise in India's bowling quality, keeping must have only gotten more difficult. "The Indian bowling attack is arguably the best in the world at the moment," Saha acknowledged. "Every pacer in our team is bowling at 140+ (kmph) nowadays regardless of the conditions."

"In the last few years, we have played some challenging Test series, we have won some, lost few and even some of the series were decided in the last match."

"Hence as keepers, we practice according to the scenario and conditions of the series. Yes, it was definitely a big challenge keeping up with the improving bowling attack and hopefully, I did well (smiles)."

 
 

By Kashish Chadha - 09 Nov, 2019

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