Wriddhiman Saha squashes reports of a hateful atmosphere under Anil Kumble

Indian wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha has dismissed the reports that the atmosphere in the dressing room was hostile under previous head coach Anil Kumble. According to numerous reports, the Indian team was not able to get along with Kumble and his management styles especially skipper Virat Kohli. However, the 32-year-old Saha claimed that everything was normal between the coach and the team at least when he was present during the Test matches.

“I never felt that way. We used to crack jokes, have fun. I strongly feel the same will happen when Ravi (Shastri) Bhai will come. During the Test matches, I didn’t see anything wrong. I have no clue if anything had happened during the ODIs,” as reported by Sportskeeda.

Saha went on to give Kumble credit for boosting his confidence before the Test series against West Indies. According to the right handed batsman, Kumble asked Saha to keep himself calm and not take a lot of pressure ahead of the game. “Firstly, we went to West Indies under Anil Bhai and he said that I should play as the way I play for Bengal. He asked me not to take much pressure. He shared his experiences with the team which was a great help,” said Saha.

Saha also heaped praise on Virat Kohli for bringing an unbreakable unity in the team. According to Saha Virat also asked the team to act as the same way they did under MS Dhoni. “Virat Kohli is a true leader. Since the time I started playing, he has been really good to me. He gets close easily with all the members. Not only on the field, but off the field as well. The team has a great unity under Virat, we enjoy each other’s success. Like Mahi Bhai (MS Dhoni), Virat always motivates players and comes up with positive words in all the situations. Virat has created a positive environment in the dressing room,” added Saha.

On the upcoming Sri Lanka tour:

Saha has already begun his preparations for the Sri Lanka tour but he is doing it in the indoor nets. Saha plans to begin hardcore practice sessions on reaching Sri Lanka.

“As far as the preparation is concerned, I am mostly hitting the indoor nets due to monsoon. At the moment, I am focusing more on training and will do some knocking in coming few days. Full-fledged practice will take place once we reach there. We will have practice matches too so that will surely help us,” Saha said.

Saha made it clear that the main motive of the coach and the team will be to win matches. H is also eager to gain some positives from Ravi Shastri who will start his new spell as the coach from the Sri Lanka tour.

“Whoever comes in as the coach, the main priority will always remain the same and that is to win matches for India. Every coach has a specific duration and we have to accept it. Ravi Bhai (Ravi Shastri) gave some great inputs when he was the director of the team and now I am looking forward to getting some more valuable inputs from him,”