Aakash Chopra has praised coach Rahul Dravid for being brutally honest while informing Wriddhiman Saha about his Team India prospects. Wriddhiman Saha has been dropped alongside Ishant Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara from the Indian squad for the upcoming 2 match Test series against Sri Lanka.
While conveying the decision to Wriddhiman Saha, Rahul Dravid also informed the wicketkeeper-batter that he is no longer in the team management and selectors’ scheme of things and that he could take a call on his career plans.
Aakash Chopra: Rahul Dravid Was Absolutely Honest In His Communication To Wriddhiman Saha
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra lauded head coach Rahul Dravid for being honest in his communication with the veteran keeper.
He said: “It was twisted and presented that Rahul Dravid told Wriddhiman Saha to retire and the latter said that he is not going to, it is his wish when he should retire. Firstly, that is not the case. The truth is that Rahul Dravid was absolutely honest and honesty is at the top.”
The cricketer-turned-commentator also recalled his interaction with Rahul Dravid when he himself was dropped from the Indian Test side.
Aakash Chopra revealed: “To be very fair, the day I was dropped from the team, Rahul Dravid was the captain. He called both me and Parthiv separately and said that we are in the scheme of things, that we are not picked for the next match but this is not the end of the road. He did not have to do that, he was the stand-in captain, Dadi [Ganguly] wasn’t available but he still picked up the phone and called.”
Aakash Chopra was dropped from the Indian team after the third Test of a four-match series against Australia in 2004. It turned out to be his last stint as a player for Team India. Aakash Chopra played 10 Tests scoring 437 runs averaging 23 with 2 fifties to his name.
Aakash Chopra Reckons Rahul Dravid Did Absolutely The Correct Thing
While observing that Wriddhiman Saha has the right to be peeved about getting dropped, Aakash Chopra added that Rahul Dravid took the correct steps.
He elaborated: “He did the same thing here as well. In my opinion, he did absolutely the correct thing whether it is right or wrong because if you see from Saha’s viewpoint, he has very strong points about his non-selection and future, which is absolutely fair.”
The 44-year-old pointed out that an international cricketer needs to be informed about his sacking compassionately.
Aakash Chopra observed: “But what Dravid did, that’s the way it should be. You should always do like that, when someone has played for India, you keep your hand on his shoulders and tell him the truth that the selectors and team management are looking in a different direction.”
Aakash Chopra concluded by saying those team selections are not always about fairness to a player. However, he added that it is fair play on the selectors and team management’s part if they take a call keeping the future in mind.
Wriddhiman Saha overall played 40 Tests as he scored 1353 runs with an average of 29.41 with 3 hundreds and 6 fifties. He also caused 104 dismissals behind the stump which included 12 stumping as well. Wriddhiman Saha made his Test debut against South Africa in Nagpur in 2010. He also played 9 ODIs for India. In the IPL 2022 mega auction, Gujarat Titans bagged him for 1.9 Crores.
Wriddhiman Saha pulled out of Ranji Trophy 2022 as he was told that he won’t be selected for the Test squad. The last time Wriddhiman Saha got a chance in the final XI, was against New Zealand in Mumbai Test.
Rishabh Pant was rested for the series to manage his workload. He played some handy cameos in that series. Especially in the first Test in Kanpur, he walked out to bat at 103/6 and played a knock of unbeaten 61 to get India out of trouble.