Wriddhiman Saha backs India to defend the Champions Trophy title

India’s Test wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha may not be part of India’s squad for the Champions Trophy come this June, but he has come out to show his support for the country, strongly backing the talented Indian side led by Virat Kohli.

The wicketkeeper-batsman has been overlooked for the likes of the talented Delhi Daredevils’ keeper Rishabh Pant and Gujarat Lions’ Dinesh Karthik.

Asked which teams had the chance to win the Champions Trophy, Saha said that he could not think beyond India. “My first choice is India, second choice is India and third choice is India,” said Saha.

“Don’t regret not being part of the team. I want the team to win.” further added the keeper from Bengal.

The keeper was engaging with the audience on the occasion of the launch of a special edition cricket ball, ‘Bengal Tigress,’ in the honor of world’s leading woman wicket-taker in ODI’s Jhulan Goswami.

Saha said India, the defending champion, should play the tournament with confidence. “There is no pressure on India. If they take pressure and play then that will not be good. If they don’t take pressure and play (with the confidence) as defending champion, then it will be good.”

On India’s opening match against arch-rival Pakistan on June 4, Saha said, “It is better to not look at which opposition we are playing. Instead, we should look at the process. If the batsmen and bowlers do their job properly, then we will win no matter whether we play Australia, Pakistan or England.”

Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni, the key to India’s defense:

The keeper has backed the Indian skipper Virat Kohli and former skipper MS Dhoni for leading the team to another glory “Virat is always positive on and off the field. He never thinks if I fail then what. Whenever he plays a shot he is 110 per cent sure. Everybody goes through lean patches. He may overcome that.” said the keeper.

“Dhoni has been playing as per the team’s needs. Earlier, he was playing with attacking approach; now he is playing sensibly.” concluded the attacking batsman in response to India’s chances of holding on to the trophy once again.