Saha: Never felt Kumble was strict

Asked whether Kumble was the stricter coach, Saha said, “I did not feel that way. As a coach, he has to be strict in some way or the other. Some have felt he is strict, some have not. I have never felt that way.”

Wriddhiman Saha (R) had success behind the stumps in the recently concluded Test series against Sri Lanka.

Like his wicketkeeping, Wriddhiman Saha is effortless in handling tough questions.

Anil Kumble’s resignation from the post of head coach following his differences with skipper Virat Kohli is not an episode any current player would like to comment on.

But Saha does note mind fielding any question. Asked whether Kumble was the stricter coach, Saha said, “I did not feel that way. As a coach, he has to be strict in some way or the other. Some have felt he is strict, some have not. I have never felt that way.”

After working with new head coach Ravi Shastri in the recently concluded Test series in Sri Lanka, Saha gave a clear picture of the style of functioning of the current coach and his predecessor.

“Anil bhai always wanted us to score 400, 500 or 600 runs and make the opponent all out for 150-200. That is not always possible. Ravi bhai always tells us to go out there and hit the opponent out of the park. That is the only difference I could see. Otherwise, both were positive all the time,” Saha told reporters on his arrival from Sri Lanka here on Friday.

Saha’s fine form behind the stumps may have reminded Shastri of English ‘keeper Bob Taylor, but the Bengal stumper downplayed the comparison. “I have not seen Bob Taylor's keeping. I have tried to give my best. You create opportunities behind the stumps. I am always ready to create chances. I am always alert in my area.”

About keeping to successful bowlers such as R. Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammad Shami, Saha said, “I have been keeping to Ashwin and Jadeja for a long time. I enjoy that. In the second Test it was challenging but keepers always like the ball to be coming to them.

“It's great that Shami is continuing his aggression after coming back from injury. It is good for him and the team.”

On India’s 3-0 whitewash in Sri Lanka, Saha said the Galle Test loss from two years ago spurred the team on this time. “We lost the Galle Test. Then all the players had a meeting and we are maintaining the momentum from there. It has helped us recharge our batteries.”

Saha admitted that Sri Lanka batsmen’s ‘weak’ temperament helped the Indians.