After the 2024–25 Ranji Trophy season, India wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha will conclude a 17-year career. Saha, a 40-Test veteran, revealed the information on social media.
After two years as a player-mentor for Tripura, Saha has rejoined Bengal and is preparing for the team’s fourth-round matchup against Karnataka in Bengaluru. After meeting with former India captain Sourav Ganguly, he said he had left for Bengal.
This season will be my final one in cricket after a treasured adventure. It is a privilege to play for Bengal one last time, just in the Ranji Trophy, before I retire. Let’s create a memorable season!
In an attempt to assist Bengal in winning the Ranji title that evaded him in 2019–20 when Saurashtra defeated them in the final, Saha had previously stated that he would not be participating in the BCCI’s white-ball tournaments and would instead concentrate on the first-class format.
Saha had insisted on “only looking forward” and stated a desire to investigate coaching prospects rather than administrative positions, not wanting to linger on the reasons behind his contentious departure.
Saha, who was named India’s first-choice wicket keeper after MS Dhoni retired from Test cricket in 2014, was thought to have been informed by Rahul Dravid’s team management that India was moving on from him when he last played for the country in December 2021.
Saha was India’s most excellent wicketkeeper at the time, but Rishabh Pant’s rise made things more complicated, even if he frequently played as a second wicketkeeper.
Young Abishek Porel, whom Saha carefully coached upon his return to Bengal, has emerged as an all-format regular for the team. Before the massive auction, the Delhi Capitals recently kept four players, including the 22-year-old wicketkeeper.
Saha won’t be included in the auction because of his IPL career. Saha has participated in every IPL tournament since its launch in 2008 and most recently played for the Gujarat Titans, who won a championship in 2022.
Saha has also played for the Sunrisers Hyderabad, Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Punjab Kings. In the 2014 final, when they finished second, Saha hit a historic century for the Punjab Kings.
