Sabyasachi Bagchi: India wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha is not hopeful about his prospect of playing the one-off test match against Afghanistan. Saha, who is nursing an injury is yet to recover fully from his injury which had troubled him throughout the Indian Premier League (IPL). Talking to reporters on the sideline of the launch of his academy at the Kalighat club, Saha said, “I don’t know the exact situation right now, so I cannot comment on whether I would be taking part in the Afghanistan Test. The BCCI is keeping a track on my injury on a day-to-day basis. It will depend on how I recover and whether I do in time for the one-off test.
It is learnt Saha will be undergoing an x-ray in the next few days before taking a final call. BCCI has not yet named a replacement for Wriddhi, though Dinesh Karthik is tipped to take the Bengal stumper’s place should he fail to recover in time.
On being asked whether he is hopeful about getting fit in time for the test match, the Bengal wicketkeeper did not sound optimistic.
“The way I feel, to be honest, I might not be fit in time. Ultimately, the selectors will decide. It’s not in my hands,” said Saha.
It will be a historic event as Afghanistan will be playing their first ever test match starting on June 14 at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.
According to Saha, “It’s not only about the historic occasion. Missing a game is always disappointing. There was a local club game for Kalighat Club against Mohun Bagan today, I could not take part in that. I am disappointed for that as well. So missing any game is
Wriddhi had a lukewarm performance in the IPL. On being asked about the batting woes, Saha admitted, “I could not bat the way I wanted to in the IPL. I expected to do better but that did not happen.
India will be embarking on a challenging tour to England where they play three ODI’s, three T20I’s and 5 test matches.
Talking about the series against England, Saha said, “Every tour is difficult. When you play at home, there is actually more pressure. Nobody expects us to lose a test match at home. So, on the contrary, the pressure is more at home.”
Lastly, Saha heaped loads of praises on his Sunrisers Hyderabad teammate Rashid Khan.
“He is an outstanding cricketer both with bat and ball. In the lower order especially, this season barring one or two games, he has helped the team get into a situation from where we could win games. Outstanding bowler and he will have a long career. I wish him all the best,” signed off Saha.