I Never Felt Anil Kumble Was Strict, Says Wriddhiman Saha

India's Test wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha said that he never felt that former India coach Anil Kumble was strict. Kumble had stepped down from the post of the top job due to differences of opinion with current India skipper Virat Kohli just after 2017 ICC Champions Trophy. Kumble, a former captain, had gone to the extent of calling his relationship with Kohli 'untenable.' Talking about the perception of Kumble being strict, Saha said, "I did not feel that way. As a coach, he had to be strict in some way or the other. Some have felt he is strict, some have not. I have never felt that way under Anil bhai," Saha told reporters on Friday.

Comparing Ravi Shastri's style of coaching with that of Kumble, the right-handed batsman said, "Anil bhai always wanted us to score big -- 400,500 and 600 and felt that the opponent can be bowled out within 150-200. That's not always possible."

"Ravi bhai, on the other hand, always tells us to go for the kill. Go out there and hit the opponent out of the park. This is the only difference I could see. Rest, both spoke positive stuff. When Ravi bhai was director, he was aggressive. In his new stint, he seems to have become more involved," said the 32-year-old.

Saha also praised skipper Kohli, who remains involved with the players even off the field.

"He is improving with time and his association with players has increased. We dine together and go for outings together. He is always mingling with us, which I see as a plus point in him," the Bengal stumper said.

Saha admitted that Sri Lankan team's temperament was weak.

"Their temperament was weak from the batting point of view, which helped us. One session they held fort but we knew they would run out of patience in the next session, that helped," he said.

Commenting on the home Test series against Sri Lanka, Saha said, "That is still three months away. They will prepare well and we have to hold on to our form."

'Caught Saha b Mohammed Shami' has been an oft-repeated dismissal in recent Test matches. The soft-spoken keeper attributes the fine collaboration to their understanding, having played considerable amount of first-class cricket for Bengal.

"It's great that Shami is continuing to be aggressive after coming back from injury. It is good for him and the team. He always creates a wicket-taking opportunity.

"He swings the ball and gets the outside edge and I take the catch. We have been doing that for Bengal too," said Saha, who wants to finish his career with at least 200 first-class matches.

(With PTI inputs)