The veteran Indian commentator, Harsha Bhogle immensely criticized the Indian team management for excluding Wriddhiman Saha from the playing XI for the first Test match against New Zealand. He was extremely disappointed with the decision of playing Rishabh Pant ahead of Saha. According to him, the team management has let down every upcoming wicketkeeper of the country.
The first Test between India and New Zealand commenced in Wellington with the hosts’ bowlers coming out all guns blazing on the first day of the match. Debutant Kyle Jamieson got the crucial dismissals of Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli and Hanuma Vihari back to the pavilion as the Indian team was left reeling at 122/5 when rain forced the umpires to end the day’s play early.
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Rishabh Pant had grabbed the headlines by becoming the first Indian wicketkeeper-batsman to score a century in England and Australia. He had all but cemented his place in the Indian Test squad owing to his batting heroics, however, a poor run with the bat in West Indies gave Wriddhiman Saha one more opportunity to don the whites for the nation.
Saha kept the wickets for India in the entire home season but, he was dropped from the team in Pant’s favour for the first Test against New Zealand. Here’s how Harsha Bhogle reacted to this decision:
Don't get me wrong. This isn't about Pant. Just think in tests you pick your best five batsmen, best four bowlers, best keeper and think about a secondary skill for number six, if at all. I hope he does well because he is a gifted young player but feel for Saha. #Lastword. https://t.co/OJwatdbLeb
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 21, 2020
After finding out that Saha was not a part of the playing XI, Bhogle opined that the team management ended the hopes of every upcoming wicketkeeper in India by sending a message that the batting skills matter more than wicketkeeping skills. He later clarified that he was not against the inclusion of Pant but, Saha could fit perfectly in the team combination as he also hopes that Pant performs and justifies Saha’s exclusion.
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At the end of the first day’s play, India’s score is just 122/5 after 55 overs. Rishabh Pant and Ajinkya Rahane are still out there in the middle. The left-handed batsman is on 10* while Rahane has amassed 38 runs in 122 balls. The duo will have to build a big partnership on day 2 to lift the Indian team and take the total near 300.
