Cricket
Wriddhiman Saha's Swan Song: Returning to Bengal for One Last Shot at Ranji Glory
Wriddhiman Saha returns to Bengal for his final Ranji Trophy season, chasing an elusive championship before retiring. Reflecting on his illustrious career, the veteran wicketkeeper shares his emotional journey
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As he plans to bring the curtains down on a glittering career, spanning close to two decades, including 40 Tests for India, seasoned wicketkeeper-batter Wriddhiman Saha revealed that he pushed himself for another season in pursuit of an unfulfilled dream of becoming a Ranji Trophy champion, and if not, hopefully turn up at the iconic Eden Gardens once before walking into the sunset.
In June this year, when Saha, already leaning toward retirement, made a causal visit to the Eden to amicably resolve old issues with certain factions of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) – tensions that had prompted him to play two seasons with Tripura, the stumper’s outlook shifted on return. It was the encouragement of Sourav Ganguly, former India captain and a mentor, that ultimately convinced him to return to play for Bengal for one final season.
Terming it as an “emotional connect”, Saha acknowledged in an exclusive chat with SportsBoom.com that he had already made up his mind of retiring but credited the backing from Ganguly and his spouse, made him rethink his decision.
“It was more of an emotional connect (to play for Bengal for one last season) and then the push from Sourav Ganguly and my wife, helped me rethink the decision. I wasn't going to play this year as I’ve been pushing myself really hard,” he said.
While Saha’s body has borne the brunt of years on the field – with taped fingers, hamstring strapping, and pain-relief patches – he decided to commit solely to the premier domestic red-ball competition.
I know my body won’t hold up for the entire season, and that’s why I focussed solely on the Ranji Trophy. If we can qualify for the knockouts, I will play till the end of the season, else I'll finish off at Eden Gardens
Wriddhiman Saha
As Saha gradually turns his focus to the next innings of life, he reflected on his career, and said he had no regrets despite being caught in stiff competition between the mavericks — Mahendra Singh Dhoni during his initial years, and later with the explosive Rishabh Pant.
“No, I don’t think so. I feel fortunate and proud to have played 40 Tests for India. There are so many of them who didn't play despite toiling so hard throughout their careers.”
The Siliguri-born stumper, who last played for India in December 2021, until he was believed to have been informed by the then team management, led by then head coach Rahul Dravid, of India’s plans of moving on from him, said he was happy to continue even after the door got closed.
It again gets back to the same old question, why did I take up the sport, it’s the love for it. So even after that door (international cricket) closed, I wasn’t demoralised because of that as I continued playing domestic cricket and IPL for the next three-four years
Wriddhiman Saha
Saha ended his Test career with 1353 runs in 56 innings at an average of 29.41, with three centuries and six half-centuries. While his career stats with the willow might not sound impressive, Saha, regarded as one of the best wicketkeepers around the world, insisted that he has always prioritised on his primary role behind the stumps before being a batter.
As he features in his final Ranji Trophy season, before hopefully embarking on a path of “coaching”, Saha has one wish — to be remembered as a Ranji champion.
“I’ve not been a (Ranji) champion. We won T20 and the one-dayers. We won the Duleep Trophy for two years. But before I leave, if we manage to qualify for the finals, it would be even better,” said the veteran glovesman, who now eyes coaching stints with state sides, more preferably his home team.
Tridip Kr Sharma has been covering sports for close to a decade and a half, and served for various leading news outlets in India. He has covered three Olympics, three Commonwealth Games and as many Asian Games, besides numerous Cricket World Cups, bilateral cricket tournaments and Test matches.