This team is filled with confident people who enjoy each other's success, says Wriddhiman Saha

33-year old Wriddhiman Saha, who co-incidentally received his maiden call-up to the national team during the series versus South Africa in 2010, is gearing up to face the Proteas once again in what will be the first among three international tours lined up for the national side during the course of the year.

The next 18 months will be a crucial period for Indian Cricket according to Ravi Shastri, and Saha agreed with the team coach, as he said in a conversation with News 18, “Shastri bhai was absolutely right because we are playing the top teams and that too on foreign soil. If this team can beat the likes of South Africa, England and Australia, you can very well understand that we will not only gain immensely in confidence, but also be true world beaters.”

He credited the duo of Shastri and skipper Kohli in helping the squad get rid of self-doubt while also empowering them to go out on the pitch and just enjoy themselves. The change is mindset has enabled the players to express themselves in a more confident manner, with the form of the likes of Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvaneshwar Kumar being particular highlights.

“Today, I can say that I know where I stand as a player and my role in this team is very clear. How often do you come across captains and coaches who are as vocal as these two? They have ensured that all of us know what is expected of us and there is no sense of doubt. Kohli often comes and tells me that I should not worry about whether I can score a hundred or a fifty. He says that every time I go out in the middle, I should enjoy myself.

“Shastri too doesn’t mince words and be it me or any other player, he will always give you the truth. He often tells me that I should be confident of myself and half the job is done then and there. Self-doubt is your worst enemy and the duo has ensured that this team is filled with confident people who enjoy each other’s success,” the Bengali wikcet-keeper added.

India will take on South Africa in 3 Tests, 6 ODIs and 3 T20s. The first Test match between India and South Africa is scheduled to be held in Cape Town on Friday.