Adam Gilchrist believes that India will have a tough choice to make when Saha returns

The Indian Test team had a certain starter in Wriddhiman Saha as the wicketkeeper-batsman was the safest pair behind the stumps and a relatively reliable batsman. He was the immediate preference after MS Dhoni’s retirement a couple of years later, having spent a large part of a year nursing an injury is not just out of the team but might as well have lost his contention. Rishabh Pant in his 9-Test career has ensured Saha’s efforts in the 32 games he played cannot guarantee him a natural comeback.

Australian great Adam Gilchrist who is to date considered the best in the trade feels it will be a tough call to make for the Indian team management once Saha is available for selection. The two keepers have a lot of difference – while Saha is top class with his keeping skills, Pant has to make up for it with his batting. While their skills might be at par against pacers it is holding things in place against the spinners that moves the balance in the Bengal veteran’s favour.

Gilchrist wants the bowling department to make the decision on whether they want a high-quality keeper or value runs that Pant can add. “I think that it should be left to the bowling group to make that decision, whether they want Saha’s high-quality glovework behind the stumps or the extra runs by Pant. Saha himself is a very good batsman,” said Gilchrist as quoted by Sportstar.

Gilly impressed with Pant’s batting

Having admitted that Pant needs to work on his skills as a keeper, he backed the 21-year-old to learn with time on how to rise with the bouncing ball and stay low when required. Gilchrist also remarked that the youngster needs to balance his aggression and defence to carry on the good start he has had to his career.

“There is a lot of promise in him. He moves well, has energy. He has a good base to work on. He has dropped a couple of diving catches in the series but those were not due to faulty positioning, but owing to glovework,” Gilly said.

“Pant has been caught out a few times getting too early and ahead of the bounce while standing up. He will learn to stay low and rise with the bounce. he further added. Pant is exciting to watch. He bats without inhibitions. He attacked the bowlers, is flamboyant. As time passes, he will learn to balance his aggression with defence,” he concluded.

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