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Long quarantine hasn't bothered me much, I hardly go out: Wriddhiman Saha

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Indian wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha has spoken about the mental challenges due to the lack of game time on international tours. In an interview with the Indian Express, the Test specialist talked about his time with the Indian team and how the lack of playtime has affected him during the quarantine.

“I think adjustments become easier for those who don’t think much about what would be happening next. Even when there was no quarantine, I basically used to stay put in my room. I am not someone to go out frequently. That’s why I didn’t find it too difficult to handle,” Saha said.

One of the finest wicket-keepers of the modern generation, Wriddhiman Saha has been away from the game for a long time. Owing to the emergence of Rishabh Pant, he is no longer India’s first-choice wicket-keeper in Tests. 

Taking over India’s keeping duties in Tests following the retirement of MS Dhoni, Saha hasn’t put a foot wrong when it comes to the skillset behind the stumps. However, it has been his batting that has been a major issue that has resulted in Rishabh Pant taking over the first-choice wicket-keeper’s slot. 

“After I suffered an injury, Dinesh Karthik, Parthiv Patel and Rishabh Pant have played (for India). Rishabh has managed to cement his place through his potential. He has grabbed the opportunity. Now I am (again) waiting for my turn,” Saha said.

The wicket-keeper reiterated the fact that finding a place in the XI or getting dropped is part and parcel of playing the sport. The initial part of Saha’s career coincided with the domination of MS Dhoni. Hence he was hardly part of the playing XI and it was only until his retirement that he played regular Test cricket from 2014-2018. 

“Firstly, when Dhoni bhai (MS Dhoni) was there, I wasn’t a regular in the team. I virtually didn’t play at all. From 2014 end to 2018, I played,” Saha said.

After contracting COVID-19 in the Indian Premier League bio-bubble, Saha managed to book a place for the England bound Test squad but unless Pant is injured or the team management wants to give him a rest, Saha is expected to warm the benches for the majority of the tour. 

The wicket-keeper batsman has recovered from the virus and is expected to join the Indian team in Mumbai on 24th May.

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