Saha: Dhoni’s announcement surprised us all

India

India wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha said he was just as surprised as everyone else when former India Test captain MS Dhoni announced his retirement from the five-day format on the recent tour of Australia.

Dhoni decided call time on his Test career after the third Test in the four-match series, with the hosts already 2-0 up with one more match to play.

Saha played in the first match of the series, in Adelaide, when Dhoni was injured and the final match at the SCG after Dhoni announced his retirement.

As he was the reserve keeper in Australia, you would think that Saha would benefit the most from Dhoni's retirement, but the right-handed batsman still thinks he should fight for his place.

Saha said: "Dhoni's announcement surprised us all. He will be missed no doubt but it's a team game and only XI can play. We have to keep playing in the same manner.

"Playing international cricket is a big responsibility. People will breathe down your neck. You've to rise to the challenge."

Speaking about the new Test captain Virat Kohli, Saha pointed out that he and Kohli go back a long way, as they played in India's under 19 side together, and that India would continue to play the aggressive cricket that they showed in Australia.

Saha continued: "He always tries to liven up the atmosphere. I know him (Kohli) since his U-19 days. He always plays an aggressive brand of cricket and spreads that feeling in the dressing room too.

"If we can translate that into performance and play session by session, we'll definitely do well in the coming days."

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