Wriddhiman Saha’s absence from the field has been explained by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The 37-year-old has been struggling with neck stiffness and has not been able to perform his wicketkeeping duties despite coming to bat on Day 4. In his absence, India have used substitute Srikar Bharat as the wicketkeeper since Day 3.
In a statement released on BCCI’s official Twitter handle, the board explained,” Wriddhiman Saha felt stiffness in his neck while keeping in the second innings. It was affecting his movement while wicket-keeping. KS Bharat will keep wickets in his absence on Day 5."
Bharat's debut on cards?
Saha who became India’s second oldest wicketkeeper in the Kanpur Test will now go further scans. Whether Saha is available for the Mumbai Test remains to be seen as he went off the field after keeping wickets for few overs in the last session of Day 4. If Saha is not fit before the second Test in Mumbai, Bharat might get his debut Test cap. The Mumbai Test will begin on December 3 as regular skipper Virat Kohli will return back to the side.
Bharat's performance behind the stumps
The Bengal wicketkeeper was instrumental in getting India to a 283-run lead as he smashed an unbeaten 61 from 126 deliveries. With Shreyas Iyer, he put together a seventh-wicket stand of 67 runs as India declared their second innings for 234 for 7. When Saha came into bat India were 102 for 6 and struggling to stay in the match. In absence of Saha, Bharat was involved in three dismissals in first innings to break the back of New Zealand batting on Day 3.
What does the rule say?
As per the rulebook, India are well-within their rights to replace an injured Saha with Bharat. The wicketkeeping substitute rule was amended in 2017 which allows backup wicketkeeper to take over the gloves in case of an injury. In 2018, Dinesh Karthik replaced an injured Parthiv Patel in a Test against South Africa.
