Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha, who had been dropped from the national team for the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka, earlier took to Twitter to share a screenshot of messages, alleging that a ‘reputed’ journalist had threatened him for not responding to a request for an interview.

One of the messages to Saha from the accused journalist read, “You did not call. Never again will I interview you. I don't take insults kindly. And I will remember this. This wasn’t something ypu should have done.” Alongside the screenshot, Saha wrote, “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.” The cricketer later informed in a series of tweets that he would not reveal the identity of the journalist so as to protect his career.

Saha wrote, “I was hurt and offended. I thought not to tolerate such kind of behaviour and didn’t want anyone to go through these kind of bullying. I decided I will go out and expose the chat in public eye, but not his/her name. My nature isnt such that I will harm anyone to the extent of ending someone’s career. So on grounds of humanity looking at his/her family, I am not exposing the name for the time being. But if any such repetition happens, I will not hold back. I thank each and everyone who has shown support and extended their willingness to help. My gratitude.”

Responding to one of the tweets, veteran Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag asked Saha to reveal the identity of the journalist in question in order to avoid a repetition of such an incident in the future. “Dear Wriddhi, it’s not your nature to harm others and you are a wonderful guy. But to prevent such harm from happening to anyone else in the future , it’s important for you to name him. Gehri saans le, aur naam bol daal (Take a deep breath and reveal his name),” Sehwag wrote.

Dear Wriddhi, it's not your nature to harm others and you are a wonderful guy. But to prevent such harm from happening to anyone else in the future , it's important for you to name him.
Gehri saans le, aur naam bol daal. https://t.co/9ovEUT8Fbm

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) February 22, 2022

1/3- I was hurt and offended. I thought not to tolerate such kind of behaviour and didn’t want anyone to go through these kind of bullying. I decided I will go out and expose the chat in public eye, but not his/her name

— Wriddhiman Saha (@Wriddhipops) February 22, 2022

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