Rishabh Pant should be our first-choice keeper in England, I’ll just wait: Wriddhiman Saha

Rishabh Pant has been on a roll in the past few months and emerged as India’s first-choice wicket-keeper in Test cricket. Prior to the Australia tour in 2020, there were debates over who should keep for India in the longest format between Wriddhiman Saha and Pant. However, the southpaw played some stunning knocks down under and owned the position. He’ll also take gloves in the ICC World Test Championship final between India and New Zealand.

The summit clash will get underway on June 18 at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton, and Pant would be raring to shine both in front and behind the stumps. Saha is also a part of India’s squad for the WTC final and following five-match Test series against England. However, the veteran wicketkeeper is unlikely to take the field with Pant being in red-hot form. Speaking of the same, Saha said he would just wait to perform if any opportunity arises.

Rishabh Pant is our first-choice keeper in England: Wriddhiman Saha

“Rishabh Pant played the last few matches of the World Test Championship, he’s done well and he should be our first-choice keeper in England. I would just wait, and if any opportunity arises, I will give my best. I will keep practising for that one chance,” Saha told Sportskeeda.

Notably, Saha was dropped from India’s playing XI after the Adelaide Test against Australia last year. He scored nine and four in that game as India suffered a humiliating eight-wicket loss. Pant replaced the 36-year-old in the subsequent games and didn’t look back since then. However, Saha opined that he’ll continue to remain positive irrespective of his performances.

“I try to be the same irrespective of the situation. Whether I am performing or no, I don’t see any change in myself, no idea if others around me spot anything different. We can only try to perform – sometimes it clicks, sometimes it doesn’t – and the management takes the call based on all these parameters,” the wicket-keeper added.

Meanwhile, Team India is scheduled to spend 24 days in isolation before participating in the WTC final next month. Hence, Virat Kohli’s men won’t get a lot of time to get in the groove. On the other hand, New Zealand will meet hosts England in two Test matches before the WTC final. Hence, they have a great chance to adapt the English conditions.

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