Veteran India wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha on Saturday (February 19) opened up on the conversation Rahul Dravid had with him following the Cape Town Test against South Africa last month.

During the chat, the India head coach intimated Saha that the selectors and team management are looking to try out a new keeper and he might not be picked for the next Test assignment.

On Saturday, the Chetan Sharma-led selection committee announced Team India’s 18-member squad for the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka at home and Saha’s name didn’t feature in it.

“Rahul bhai called me soon after the Test. I thought maybe he wanted to tell why he could not include me in the playing eleven and what’s the way forward. After the Test [in Kanpur] against New Zealand, Dadi (Sourav Ganguly) texted me congratulating me for my innings and boosted my confidence. So, when Rahul bhai called me, I thought maybe he wanted to talk to me about his plans,” Saha told Sportstar.

“But as we started speaking, Rahul bhai said, ‘I don’t know how to tell you this, but for a while, a few selectors and the team management are thinking of trying a new keeper’. I asked him whether it is because of my age or fitness, but Rahul bhai told me that it is not just because of age or performance. They were looking at younger talents, and since you are not playing in the eleven, we thought of looking at other talents…” he added.

“Rahul bhai told me that, if you want to take any decision, you may consider. I told him that I don’t want to take any call yet, because there is plenty of cricket left in me and also there is IPL… I have always played for the love of the game, and till the time I enjoy it, I will play,” he continued.

After returning from South Africa, the 37-year-old Saha also received a call from the chief selector Chetan Sharma.

“Chetan Sharma told me that they will not consider me for the Sri Lanka series. I asked him whether it is just for the Sri Lanka series, or is it also beyond that? He took a pause and then said, from now on, you will not be considered,” Saha stated.

“I asked him the same question - whether it is for my performance or for my age? He said that they were looking at a younger talent. But he also advised me to play the Ranji Trophy, but the call is yours…”

Addressing the media, while announcing the team, Chetan Sharma on Saturday said that he had informed Test specialists Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara, Saha, and Ishant Sharma that they will not be considered for the two-Test series against Sri Lanka, starting March 4.

The chairman of the selection committee also insisted that the performances in the Ranji Trophy should open doors for them.

"We are nobody to close doors on anyone. This is a game of cricket where you have to score runs, pick up wickets and then you can play for the country. That's the most important aspect. When we decide to give a break to a player, we make it a point to give them a period. I have requested all four of them to play Ranji Trophy. The selectors are giving a lot of attention to domestic cricket and Ranji Trophy. The tournament is happening after a long while, so we thought it would be good if they go back there and perform," Chetan said.

(With Sportstar inputs)