Wriddhiman Saha Announces Retirement from All Forms of Cricket

Indian wicketkeeper-batter Wriddhiman Saha has officially announced his retirement from all formats of cricket, marking the end of an illustrious career that spanned nearly two decades. Saha shared the news via a social media post on Sunday (November), revealing that the ongoing Ranji Trophy season would be his last. Known for his exceptional wicketkeeping skills and steady presence with the bat, Saha has been a prominent figure in Indian cricket, especially in the Test arena.

A Distinguished Career in Test Cricket

Wriddhiman Saha made a name for himself as India’s first-choice wicketkeeper-batter in Test cricket following the retirement of the legendary MS Dhoni. Over the course of his career, Saha represented India in 40 Test matches and 9 One-Day Internationals (ODIs).

• Test Record: In Tests, Saha scored a total of 1,353 runs, including three centuries.
• Wicketkeeping Prowess: Known as one of the finest wicketkeepers globally, he ranks second among Indian keepers with the most centuries in Test cricket, trailing only behind MS Dhoni and Rishabh Pant (who hold the joint first position).

Saha’s consistency, especially behind the stumps, earned him accolades from cricketing experts worldwide. Many regard him as one of the best glovemen the game has seen, known for his agility and sharp reflexes.

The Decision to Retire

In his announcement, Saha disclosed that he had been contemplating retirement for a while and felt that the time had finally come. The veteran cricketer turned 40 last month, and although he continued to play at a high level, the wear and tear of a demanding career were apparent. Saha’s last appearance in a Test match came three years ago in 2021, against New Zealand. Despite his efforts in that series, the new team management, led by head coach Rahul Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma, chose to move forward with KS Bharat as Rishabh Pant’s backup, signaling an end to Saha’s role in the national setup.

Journey in Domestic Cricket: From Bengal to Tripura

Wriddhiman Saha’s domestic career began in 2007 when he made his First-Class debut for Bengal. Over 15 years, Saha established himself as a reliable presence in Bengal’s lineup. However, his journey with Bengal cricket took a turn in 2022 when a disagreement with the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) officials led to his departure from the team.

The dispute stemmed from comments by a senior CAB official, who questioned Saha’s commitment to Bengal cricket after he chose to opt out of the group stage of the Ranji Trophy for personal reasons. Saha reportedly felt disrespected, and despite efforts from coach Arun Lal to mediate, he distanced himself from the team, even exiting the Bengal team’s WhatsApp group. Former CAB chief Avishek Dalmiya tried to convince Saha to stay, but Saha ultimately decided to represent Tripura instead.

In Tripura, Saha took on the dual role of player-mentor, guiding the team to respectable performances in various domestic tournaments. His mentorship was highly valued, and he contributed both on and off the field, helping to raise the level of the team.

Summary of the News