BCCI to investigate whether Wriddhiman Saha was "threatened" by journalist

The dropped India wicketkeeper-batter published a string of messages from a respected reporter which the governing body have pledged to look into

Wriddhiman Saha will be approached by the BCCI regarding messages the India wicketkeeper-batter alleged received from a "respected journalist".

The 37-year-old published a number of screenshots which he has accused a reporter of sending him in the wake his omission from the squad for the Sri Lanka Tests.

They start with a request for an interview but upon Saha not responding or answering a voice call a string of heated messages were sent in a threatening tone.

"You did not call," a selected message read. "Never again will I interview you, I don't take insults kindly. And I remember this.

After all of my contributions to Indian cricket..this is what I face from a so called “Respected” journalist! This is where the journalism has gone. pic.twitter.com/woVyq1sOZX

— Wriddhiman Saha (@Wriddhipops) February 19, 2022

"This wasn't something you should have done."

The BCCI will speak with Saha, who has played 40 Tests and nine ODIs for India, to gather details regarding the exchange and to check on his wellbeing.

"Yes, we will ask Wriddhiman about his tweet and what is the real incident that has happened," BCCI Treasurer Arun Dhumal told PTI. 

"We need to know if he was threatened and also the background and context of his tweet. I can't say anything more. The secretary (Jay Shah) will certainly speak to Wriddhiman."

Saha claims he was asked to consider retirement after being informed by India head coach Rahul Dravid that he was being left out for the Sri Lanka series.

^{Rahul Dravid (PHILL MAGAKOE/AFP/Getty Images)}

Uncapped 28-year-old KS Bharat was selected as the back-up for Rishabh Pant for the March Tests in Mohali and Bangalore.

But Dravid was unconcerned by the exchange being made public by the Gujarat Titans man.

"These are conversations I constantly have with players," he said. "I'm not hurt about it at all because I don't expect players to always like all the messages or agree with everything I have to say about them. That's not how it works. 

"When you have difficult conversations with people - sometimes you have to have them with players - you don't always expect them to agree with you or like you, but that doesn't mean you brush it under the carpet and don't have the conversations."