India’s head coach Rahul Dravid is unconcerned that veteran wicket-keeper Wriddhiman Saha has divulged a highly confidential talk regarding his future, but he also wants to provide the Bengal stumper with clarity about his role in the squad. After being dropped from the Indian Test team Saha also pulled out of Ranji Trophy as he has been told that he wont’ be selected in Indian team.
Wriddhiman, whose India career has come to an end, told the media after the South Africa series that head coach Dravid had advised him to consider retirement in a private chat. Wriddhiman told mediapersons recently,
“The team management had told me that I would not be considered henceforth. I could not tell this so long as I was part of the India team setup.”
He went on add,
“Even coach Rahul Dravid suggested that I think about taking retirement.”
Wriddhiman Saha also targeted Sourav Ganguly
The president of the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI), whom Saha said had given him a place in the Indian Test team following his stunning knock against New Zealand in India last December. he said,
“When I hit an unbeaten 61 taking a pain-killer in the first Test against New Zealand in Kanpur last November, Dadi (as Sourav was referred to by Bengal players) congratulated me over WhatsApp. He even mentioned that I should not worry about anything so long as he is at the helm of the BCCI. Such a message from the board president really boosted my confidence. But I failed to understand why everything changed so fast”
Rahul Dravid’s response to Wriddhiman Saha’s retirement episode
Dravid stated that his goal in speaking with Saha was to assure that he understands where he is and that he does not regret anything. Dravid responded on these allegations at the conclusion of India’s 3-0 victory over the West Indies in the T20 series on Sunday.
“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.”
The 37-year-old cricketer, who has represented India in 40 Tests, has been left out of the squad for the forthcoming home series against Sri Lanka. He then withdrew from the ongoing Ranji Trophy as well.
Dravid stated that he will continue to have such discussions with players whether they like it or not. He added,
“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.”
Dravid further stated that his strategy is to consult with players before selecting a starting XI. He said,
“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.”
Dravid also stated why he needed to talk with Saha, claiming that Rishabh Pant had already established himself as the new No. 1 wicketkeeper across all forms and that the Bengal man wouldn’t have had any chances going forward. He asserted,
“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 (Kona Bharat). This doesn’t change my feelings or respect for Wriddhi.”
Dravid believes that expressing a harsh truth is preferable to avoiding a conversation entirely. He added,
“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.”
Twitterati shared their views on the incident
Immense respect for Dravid and everytime he speaks out on issues ,u want to respect him more.#RahulDravid https://t.co/ckLX3wzyqv
— Arnab🌹 (@Shut_Up_GHOSH) February 20, 2022
That is why he is a legend On and Off the field.#RahulDravid https://t.co/LGkqpYejTv
— Manish Shasank (@ManiShasank) February 21, 2022
My respect for #RahulDravid has gone up several notches after this .
Hope Saha too has realised by now , that Dravid only meant good for him .
Having served India for long & with great distinction , Saha is bound get dissappointed .
Best gloveman , India has seen !! https://t.co/xlKFSsKuGX
— amitava (@amitava0112) February 20, 2022
“The easiest thing for me is to not have these conversations but that’s not who I am. I hope at some stage they will respect the fact that I was at least able to front up and have these conversations with them”.
CLASSY as Always..🤘#RahulDravid #WriddhimanSaha
— Varun (@varunamogh) February 21, 2022
I don’t see anything wrong with #RahulDravid‘s conversation with Saha. What else #WriddhimanSaha expecting from a coach with regards to conversation? pic.twitter.com/tuYTiVrKz1
— U Me Shhh (@U_Me_Shhh) February 20, 2022
He is so cute & so polite that it is almost impossible to dislike him.
Look at his innocent face, Aisi shakal se pyaar nahi hoga toh kya hoga…!
Rahul Dravid should be honored with “SIR” title in #India #RahulDravid #WriddhimanSaha #TheKashmirFiles pic.twitter.com/yJUGuVdqtF
— BALIDAN4INDIA (@peacei24) February 21, 2022
What do you think about this controversy?