India's 1983 World Cup-winning keeper Syed Kirmani has shown sympathy for Wriddhiman Saha, who has been reportedly told by the Indian team management and BCCI selectors that he will no longer be picked in the India Test team, as they want to give chances to younger keepers going forward.
According to reports, a few senior players may be on their way out of the squad in order for the team's management to give younger players a chance. Ishant Sharma and Wriddhiman Saha could be dropped for the upcoming Sri Lanka series, according to The Times of India, while Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara have been put on notice.
Team India will host Sri Lanka in a 3-match T20I and two-Test series following the white-ball series in March. And the BCCI selectors reportedly informed Saha, who has played 40 Tests for India since making his debut in 2010, that they feel the time is ripe for KS Bharat to become the understudy of Rishabh Pant in Tests going forward.
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The fact that Saha and Ishant have decided not to play in the Ranji Trophy 2022 season for their respective state teams, suggests something.
Former India wicketkeeper Syed Kirmani has made a glaring remark about Saha's exclusion from the Test team, claiming that he is a victim of politics. Kirmani told Mid-day that Saha remains the best wicketkeeper.
“No doubt, Wriddhi is still the best wicketkeeper. But Rishabh Pant is getting chances for his aggressive batting. Even at 37, Wriddhi is still the best wicketkeeper. He should not get upset. Dinesh Karthik and Parthiv Patel were also replaced in the same fashion," he said.
“You did a splendid job for India and never bowed down in these years, which is commendable. You are dropped because you did not belong to any particular group, you are a victim of politics. I will remember you as a very fine wicketkeeper."
Saha made his Test debut in 2010 and spent the better part of his career as MS Dhoni's understudy. For the next four years, Saha was a regular member of the Test team. But with the rise of Rishabh Pant, Saha was forced to sit out on a few occasions.
Rishabh secured his place in the Test team after brilliant performances with both the bat and the gloves during the 2020-21 season, which meant Saha was once again the understudy. With KS Bharat showing his keeping skills during the Kanpur Test against New Zealand, Saha had been further marginalized.
