Broke into the Test arena after the retirement of mercurial MS Dhoni, Wriddhiman Saha has emerged as India's first-choice wicketkeeper when it comes to cricket's most traditional format. The retirement of Dhoni from Test cricket after the Boxing Day Test against Australia in Melbourne in 2014 opened the gates for the Siliguri-born who had long been considered as the understudy of the former. In his short international career, Saha has not only impressed the commoners but also the critics with his quick reflexes and acrobatic wicket-keeping skills. It is true that he has established himself more as a keeper than as a batsman in Team India. For many, his athleticism behind the stumps against fast-bowlers has not been seen in an Indian keeper in living memory. With limited batting abilities, the 33-year old batsman has learned to play within his boundaries and has achieved success on that front. In the cash-rich Indian Premier League, Saha was signed by Chennai Super Kings prior to the 2011 season after being a part of the Kolkata Knight Riders side in the first three editions. But, the diminutive keeper found his calling with Kings XI Punjab when he bludgeoned his way to a hundred in the final of the 2014 edition, and proved his worth with the blade in the shortest format. In this year's player auction, Saha was picked up by Sunrisers Hyderabad for INR 5 crores.
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Overseas 'keepers Sam Billings (England) and Matthew Wade (Australia) met the same fate as Wriddhiman while Jonny Bairstow bagged Rs 6.75 crore from PBKS.
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It is understood that the new team management has conveyed to the national selectors that the 37-year-old wicket-keeper isn't one for the future.
Stiffness in the neck did not allow India wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha to take the field on day five of the first Test against New Zealand here on Monday.
Saha scored a fighting 61 not out on day four to put India in a strong position after the hosts lost five wickets for 51 runs.
Saha, the oldest member of the current Indian set-up at 37, is playing his 39th Test in 11 years since his debut.
On Saturday, Saha complained of a stiff neck, minutes before the third day's play was to start and Bharat, the second keeper doing his own routine, was told to do the job in the middle.
Srikar Bharat took the field in Saha's absence.
The Hyderabad franchise skipper Kane Williamson spent time batting at the nets. Ace spinner Rashid Khan and medium pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar also bowled at the nets.
The three had to isolate themselves from the Indian squad after coming in contact with assistant/net bowler Dayanand Garani, who had tested positive for coronavirus on July 14.
In a video of Saturday's play posted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Sunday, batsman KL Rahul is seen dancing down the track and hitting Ravindra Jadeja for a six.
Despite being steady with the bat, somehow Saha's willow wielding hasn't exactly inspired the highest confidence and the question raised doesn't amuse him one bit.
The 36-year-old Saha was among the players who contracted the dreaded virus before the IPL stumbled to an abrupt halt midway into its 14th season.
Both players have been included in the squad that will travel to England for the WTC final and the subsequent five-match Test series.
Saha had tested negative for COVID-19 earlier this week, but the selection commitee didn't want to take any chances and included Bharat keeping in mind the COVID protocols.
Saha has reached his home in Kolkata after completing over a fortnight-long quarantine at a Delhi hotel. He was picked for the England-bound squad subject to fitness.
Saha, who has been named in India's squad for the World Test Championship final and the subsequent Test series against England, is hoping to join the squad's bio-bubble in Mumbai on May 25.
Saha was one of the many players who had contracted the virus in the bio-bubble which eventually led to the indefinite suspension of IPL 2021.
Saha said that it was only after the third round of testing that he got a positive result but he had been feeling the symptoms early on.
Sunrisers Hyderabad confirmed their wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha had tested positive for the dreaded virus on Tuesday.
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