There is no denying the fact that there is a cut-throat competition for almost every position, but recently, the veteran wicket-keeper, Wriddhiman Saha has revealed that the competition had no effect on his relationship with the young, Rishabh Pant. He also said that the duo tries to help each other with notes on glovework.

Saha was out of the Indian team for 20 months due to shoulder surgery and with his return to the team he grabbed some stunning catches in the recently concluded second Test against South Africa in Pune as he grabbed a couple of absolute stunners off Umesh Yadav’s bowling. Six days short of his 35th birthday, Saha is often seen helping Pant with keeping drills after his own training, something that has been directed by the team managed. Ask him if he is mentoring Pant and the ever-reticent Saha replied in negative.

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During eth pre-match press conference ahead of the Ranchi Test, Saha said, “There’s nothing (mentoring) like that. We just discuss normally the way the wicketkeepers discuss. With Sridhar and Pant, we three jointly decide on how to go about our wicketkeeping on a particular type of wicket. We always observe each other’s wicket-keeping. We work hard in our practice sessions and have a good understanding and co-ordination among ourselves. We always try to point out each other’s mistakes. It’s been going well so far.”

Saha, was in fact seen minutely observing Virat Kohli bat, standing behind the skipper at the nets. He said it helps to feel the bounce off the wicket. While his keeping has been rated as the best in world cricket, even BCCI president-elect Sourav Ganguly has spoken about the need to improve on his batting averages.

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The veteran gloveman also pointed out that he has a century at the same venue in the only other Test JSCA International Stadium hosted. He also said that now Team India will be looking for a series whitewash against South Africa. Saha also acknowledged that wicketkeeping is a “thankless” job contrary to the popular perception that anyone wearing a pair of gloves should catch every ball that comes his way.

Describing the same, he said, “Wicketkeeping is a thankless job and people think that he should take all the ball since he’s wearing a pair of gloves. It’s not easy like that, especially on a track with uneven bounce and turns. We prepare according to the wicket. Everyone wants to contribute to the team. He (Umesh Yadav) did very well in the first innings and created a lot of chances. Luckily, I was able to take the chances he created on the leg side. I always think of helping the team’s cause.”

Before the South Africa series, Saha last figured in the Cape Town Test way back in January 2018 and got side-lined after a shoulder injury.

Talking about his break, Saha concluded, “I was out for a long time because of injury. I got a chance only after performing in the domestic and India A matches. I always continued the same preparation for batting and wicketkeeping and finally got an opportunity. I’m really happy to have contributed to the team.”