I don't like being a captain, says Wriddhiman Saha

Wriddhiman Saha has always looked upto MS Dhoni for "any kind of advice" on his wicketkeeping and batting but captaincy is one aspect where his take has been completely different from the Indian captain.

Unlike Dhoni who has been one of India's most successful captains, his understudy, by his own admission, is a "reluctant captain" who would like to remain an "important player" rather than being a leader.

"Yes, I am a reluctant captain. I feel captaincy is a kind of burden that affects my game. My own performance is the most important thing for me. That's why I have refused captaining the state side in the longer format. We have guys like Manoj Tiwary and Sourav Ganguly is also playing first-class cricket. I think they are better leaders," said Wriddhiman on the eve of the Duleep Trophy semi-final.

Incidentally, even after being the only international player in the line-up, Wriddhiman declined East Zone's captaincy and wanted Nataraj Behera to continue.

"For me, leading a side in T20s or an odd 50-over game is okay but not in longer format. I feel my wicketkeeping gets affected while leading. While keeping wickets, I don't like my concentration to waver," the 27-year-old Bengal stumper said.

Asked about his glovework and composed batting earning praise from all quarters, he stated, "When I finished keeping wickets, all the seniors came up and congratulated me. It felt good and also helped my batting. Coach Duncan Fletcher had told me that after reaching international level, I shouldn't tinker too much with my game. He just told me to do what I have done all this while to reach this level."

Questioned on whether the tag of a 'Test specialist' and the fact that India won't play Test matches abroad for good 20 months will lessen his chances to don national jersey again, the boy from Siliguri replied, "I have never been someone who likes to think too far ahead. You don't play cricket thinking when your next chance would come. You have got to perform and wait patiently. I would prefer doing that."