Ex-cricketer says Wriddhiman Saha is suitable for Tests than Rishabh Pant

Mumbai: Former Indian wicket-keeper Deep Dasgupta wants Wriddhiman Saha to be given chance instead of Rishabh Pant in the upcoming home Test series against South Africa due to his experience and brilliant wicket-keeping skills. Dasgupta also called Saha as the one of the best wicket-keepers in the world.

In an interview with The Telegraph, Deep Dasgupta stated, “Post his recovery from injury, Wriddhi has delivered and done whatever one has asked of him. There is no shadow of doubt that he is the best wicket-keeper in the world at present. The only question was whether Wriddhi was a good enough batsman, especially when the team is looking to play five bowlers.”

However, the former Indian cricketer also stated that the team management could play the 21-year-old, since Rishabh Pant is a better batsman than Wriddhiman Saha, but if the team management purely wants to a pure batsman then Saha should be given the nod first.  

“Yes, one may ask if Wriddhi is a better batsman than Rishabh… Well, maybe not. Then the question arises that in this format, do you prefer a better keeper or a better batsman? But going by what I saw of Rishabh in the West Indies as far as his keeping is concerned and what’s expected at home in the coming Tests, I would go with Wriddhi.”

Despite getting off to a solid start in Tests, Rishabh Pant finds himself under immense pressure, after failing to score any notable knocks even after getting plenty of chances.

After the 2019 World Cup, the selectors have identified himself as the perfect replacement for MS Dhoni all the three formats, but so far, the Delhi Capitals’ player has not been able to convert his start into potential big knocks and cement his spot at the highly debated no 4 position, and subsequently many have raised over questions over his temperament.