Former Indian cricketer Anjum Chopra feels that the Indian selectors and management should have gone with the experienced Wriddhiman Saha for the World Test Championship final against Australia at the Oval. The Indian veteran has been sidelined from the team since the emergence of Rishabh Pant in the longer format of the game for India.
With Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul injured, the Indian team has gone in with inexperienced KS Bharat and Ishan Kishan for the one-off high-octane test match in tough England conditions, and in all likelihood, India would go with KS Bharat as the glovemen for the team, since Ishan Kishan hasn’t made his debut in red-ball cricket for India.
Speaking to Mykhel, Cricketer-turned-commentator Anjum Chopra feels that the Indian team should have gone back to their old warhorse Wriddhiman Saha for this one-off test as he can be vital for the team especially behind the stumps, as he has been regarded one of the best red-ball wicketkeepers in the world cricket.
“Ishan Kishan can be a part of any side because he has done well in all formats lately. Who will play in the final eleven will be the management’s call. Still, I felt, that Wriddhiman Saha would have been a better option keeping in mind the fact that it is a one-off Test and you will want to have an experienced person behind the stumps,” Anjum Chopra said.
Earlier in 2022, it was reported that Indian head coach Rahul Dravid has formally informed the Indian veteran that he would not be in plans for the Indian team, as they are looking beyond him in red-ball cricket. Chopra reckons that England would be testing conditions for the inexperienced KS Bharat and Ishan Kishan.
“I know he’s been told that the team management is looking beyond him but it is just one game you are looking at and the wealth of experience he has. Taking nothing away from Ishan and Srikar Bharat, but it wouldn’t have been a bad call because English conditions could be testing as well for youngsters in a high-pressure WTC Final,” she said.
Wriddhiman Saha was unfortunately removed from the Test squad at the end of 2021 due to the emergence of young Rishabh Pant in red-ball cricket. Saha has been part of the Tripura team in the Ranji Trophy. In 3 matches, he has scored 231 runs at a fantastic average of 77 with 1 century and 1 fifty.
India will take on Australia in the 2023 World Test Championship Final at Kensington Oval on June 7, 2023, with a reserve day on June 12, and will look to end the ICC title drought in England.
I Am Sure Going Forward It Is The Right Thing To Do – Anjum Chopra
Anjum Chopra believes that sooner or later that Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill will take the baton from the seniors at least in one format of the game and reckons that this will ensure a smooth transition phase from one generation to another, with an eye on the future
“Yes, this will happen (sooner than later). Yashasvi or Shubman aren’t 19 years old. They are 22/23, this is a nice age. The extent of exposure these youngsters get is huge now. They are taking less time to get acclimatized to the challenges of international cricket. I am sure going forward it is the right thing to do”.
“I am not saying we should drop the senior pros, but yes, you need to make a conscious effort to introduce these youngsters to the T20Is for the time being and let the seniors concentrate on the ODIs. This will also ensure that the transition phase from one generation to the next remains seamless,” Anjum Chopra concluded.
Earlier, Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri stated that young blood like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, and Rinku Singh should get an opportunity in the T20 side as the seniors can concentrate on ODIs and Test Cricket. Many expect that the Indian team will provide an opportunity for the youngsters in T20 Cricket with an eye to the 2024 T20 World Cup.