Saha unfazed by Dhoni retirement

Wriddhiman Saha has said MS Dhoni predicted after retiring from Tests that the current crop of players would form the core of the Indian cricket team for the next seven or eight years. Saha, who had long been Dhoni's understudy, revealed that he received a lot of encouragement from the team Director Ravi Shastri, chief coach Duncan Fletcher, as well as his team-mates to take the gloves when Dhoni decided to call it quits.

"MS addressed us in the dressing room after his retirement and told us that 'this is the core of the Test team that will remain for the next 7-8 years'. We should all try and perform to the best of our abilities and grab the chances that come our way," Saha told PTI from the sidelines of Bengal training session at the Mohan Meakin ground in Ghaziabad, ahead of their Ranji Trophy match against Uttar Pradesh.

"Both Ravi Shastri and Duncan Fletcher were very supportive once MS announced his decision to retire from Tests. They had a lot of encouraging words for me before the Sydney Test as well as the first Test in Adelaide where the skipper was out due to injury. Their mantra was simple - Be positive and enjoy each and every minute."

When asked if there was less pressure on him for a spot in the team now that Dhoni had retired, Saha said, "I have never ever thought like that. You don't play cricket thinking that there will be comparatively lesser competition that what it was before. The opportunity is there for everybody and whoever performs will play. For me, I used to work hard even when Dhoni was playing Test cricket and it won't even change now."

Saha may be an introvert, but he possesses a dry sense of humour which often has everyone in splits. He was asked if he found the domestic bowling attack easier to handle after coming back from Australia (he scored 166 against Jammu & Kashmir in his last game), and Saha replied with a straight face.

"Actually, it was difficult, I must admit. Because in Australia, the deliveries bowled at 140-145 kmph on average was hitting the bat much earlier. The moment I came back, the speed was 20 kmph less and I was trying to reach towards the ball and still couldn't hit it."

Saha, however, acknowledged that he did not score enough runs despite getting starts in the first innings of both the Tests he played in Australia. In particular, he received flak for attempting an uncharacteristic heave off Nathan Lyon in the second innings in Adelaide, but Saha defended his plan of action.

"I believe having toured Australia with the senior team and playing a Test match did help me in my homework. Ideally, I should have gone and capitalised on the start that I got in both Test matches but it didn't happen. Hopefully, I will be converting the starts next time around," he said.

"The game-plan was to play positively. Since two players before me in Adelaide (Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane) got out trying to defend, I tried to be positive and counterattack. That could have been a second six had it connected. It was the execution that was wrong but I don't think that the planning was wrong."

The Indian bowlers had a tough time in Australia, and Saha, on his part, had to keep wickets for nearly 382 overs in the two Tests. He however said he had "absolutely no problems keeping wickets", especially since he was used to staying behind the wicket for long hours even while playing for Bengal.