I Think Wriddhiman Saha Deserved Honesty And Clarity From My Side - Rahul Dravid 1
South African cricket captain Faf du Plessis (R) plays a shot as Indian wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha (C) looks on as his teammate Hanuma Vihari (L) attempts to catch the ball during the third day's play of the first Test match between India and South Africa at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam on October 4, 2019. (Photo by NOAH SEELAM / AFP) / ----IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE----- / GETTYOUT

India head coach Rahul Dravid said that he is not hurt by Wriddhiman Saha’s comments after the wicketkeeper revealed a conversation with him. Saha revealed that Dravid asked him to consider retirement as he won’t be picked for the next series.

Wriddhiman Saha along with Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Ishant Sharma have been dropped for the 2-match series against Sri Lanka.

Wriddhiman Saha (Image Credit: Twitter)
Wriddhiman Saha (Image Credit: Twitter)

“I have deep respect for Wriddhiman Saha for his contribution to Indian cricket”- Rahul Dravid

Speaking in the post-match press conference on Sunday, Rahul Dravid stated that Saha deserved honesty and clarity and he told him that the team management is looking to groom a younger keeper.

“I’m actually not hurt at all. I have deep respect for Wriddhi and his achievements and his contribution to Indian cricket. My conversation came from that place. I think he deserved honesty and clarity,” Rahul Dravid said.

“I was just trying to convey that with RP (Pant), having established himself as our No.1 wicketkeeper-batsman, the idea was to say that we are looking to groom a younger wicketkeeper. This doesn’t change my feelings or respect for Wriddhi,” he added.

Rahul Dravid Photo Credit: PTI
Rahul Dravid Photo Credit: PTI

Wriddhiman Saha last played for India in December when Pant was rested for the 2-match test series against New Zealand. Rahul Dravid also said that he doesn’t expect players to agree with everything but that wouldn’t stop him to have those honest conversations.

“It’s about conversations I constantly have with players. I don’t expect players to always agree with everything I say about them. That’s not how it works. You can have difficult conversations with the players, but that doesn’t mean you brush it under the carpet and don’t have the conversations,” Rahul Dravid said.

Dravid also stated that he always believes in having some conversation with the players who don’t get a chance in the XI because players do get upset after not being selected.

“I always believe in having those conversations before every playing XI is picked and be open to questions such as why they are not playing. It’s natural for players to get upset and feel hurt.

“Easiest thing for me is to not have these conversations and not speak to players about it. That’s not what I am going to do. But at some stage, I hope they respect the fact that I was able to front up and have those conversations,” he added.

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