Sledging not compulsory, Dhoni never did that: Saha

colombo — Wriddhiman Saha wears his reticence like a badge of honour and, quite like his predecessor Mahendra Singh Dhoni, doesn’t believe in sledging opposition batsmen as most wicketkeepers are wont to.

“I haven’t seen MS Dhoni sledge ever. So it is not compulsory that you have to sledge. Sometimes (in order to unsettle opposition), we can twist things and say like the pitch is poor, or you have played a poor shot. That much is fine,” said Saha, when asked about his take on sledging.

Like many of his contemporaries, his idol is Australian Adam Gilchrist.

“I liked Adam Gilchrist from childhood -- both his batting and keeping style. I think of him as an ideal ‘keeper. There are other wicketkeepers like Mark Boucher and Ian Healy. They were also good. But Adam Gilchrist is my favourite,” said Saha.

He loves being under the radar and is happy when his performance makes an impact in result.

“My childhood coach Jayanta Bhowmick used to tell me that if I do well then automatically your name will be prominent in selection circles. He told me not to play for myself but for the team whenever you get even small opportunity keep contributing to the team’s cause. I have tried to do that only. Even now I am only trying to do well for the team and if my contribution is there I will be very satisfied,” he added.

He was blissfully unaware that third Test against Sri Lanka will be his 100th first-class game. “I am just being told that this is my 100th first-class match. I didn’t know. It is a milestone but I will try playing as long as possible,” he said. “Coming from Siliguri, it was tough. When you come from outside the city it is tough because you have to work out accommodation, find out a good club and then think about getting opportunities. After all these, comes the performance,” the 32-year-old recollected his journey. —

99 First class matches for wicketkeeper saha