'Not Hurt' By Wriddhiman Saha's Comments, Says Indian Head Coach Rahul Dravid

The former Indian captain said that he wanted to give Saha a genuine feedback on his position in the Indian cricket team after the series in South Africa.

New Delhi: After veteran wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha revealed that team India head coach Rahul Dravid had asked him to contemplate retirement from International cricket, Dravid said he is not at all "hurt" by Saha for disclosing a very classified conversation.

The former Indian captain said that he wanted to give Saha a clear feedback on his position in the Indian cricket team after the series in South Africa.

"I'm actually not hurt at all. I have deep respect for Wriddhi and his achievements and his contribution to Indian cricket. My conversation came from that place. I think he deserved honesty and clarity," Dravid said to news agency PTI. 

The Indian coach stood his ground and said that players may disagree with his suggestions but he will continue to have genuine conversations with them on their game and form instead of turning away from the problem. 

"It's about conversations I constantly have with players. I don't expect players to always agree with everything I say about them. That's not how it works. You can have difficult conversations with the players, but that doesn't mean you brush it under the carpet and don't have the conversations," Dravid was quoted by PTI

"I always believe in having those conversations before every playing XI is picked and be open to questions such as why they are not playing. It's natural for players to get upset and feel hurt," added Dravid.

Clarifying further on his discussion with Saha, Dravid said that Rishab Pant was playing well and had consolidated his position in the Indian team as the new No.1 keeper, which would have closed doors on Bengal player.

"I was just trying to convey that with RP (Pant) having established himself as our No.1 wicketkeeper-batsman, the idea was to say that we are looking to groom a younger wicketkeeper (KS Bharat). This doesn't change my feelings or respect for Wriddhi," said the former Indian captain.

He also said that being non confrontational with players on issues is the easiest thing to do, but he chooses to speak to them for which he should be respected.