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Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has encouraged seasoned wicketkeeper-batter Wriddhiman Saha to consider playing a farewell match for Bengal before ending his domestic cricket career. Ganguly believes that a final game would be a fitting tribute to Saha’s contributions and achievements over the years. He emphasized the significance of honoring Saha’s long-standing service to Bengal cricket, urging him to make this gesture before officially retiring from the domestic arena.
Sourav Ganguly’s Request to Wriddhiman Saha:
On Monday, Jayanta Dey, the joint secretary of the Tripura Cricket Association, disclosed that the former BCCI president had requested Wriddhiman Saha to participate in “one last match” for his home state. Dey mentioned that Sourav Ganguly urged Saha to play this farewell game for Bengal as a tribute to his long and illustrious domestic career before officially retiring.
In 2022, Saha transitioned to a player-cum-mentor role with Tripura, having previously played for Bengal for over ten years. He decided to forgo participating in the Ranji Trophy for Bengal, where he had a long-standing career. His move marked a new chapter, combining his experience on the field with a mentorship position to guide and develop the Tripura team.
According to the news source a meeting has already happened between Sourav Ganguly and Wriddhiman Saha. Jayanta Dey said, “Ganguly wants Saha to retire for Bengal, playing at least one last match. Saha told me this. But he’s yet to ask for an NOC (no objection certificate) from Tripura.”
Wriddhiman Saha Hints at Pressured Retirement:
In discussions with ESPNcricinfo, Saha disclosed being nudged towards retirement following his exclusion from the Indian Test squad. His absence during the Sri Lanka series in 2022 marked the first time he was omitted since MS Dhoni’s retirement. This sidelining hinted at the end of an era for Saha, as he faced the implications of transitioning out of the national team setup.
Wriddhiman Saha had said, “After the South Africa series, Rahul bhai [Dravid, the head coach] called me to the room and said, “Wriddhi, I don’t know how to say this, but for some time now the selectors and the team management have been wanting to look at a new face (as wicketkeeper). Because you are not our first-choice wicketkeeper, because you haven’t been playing for a while, we want to use this time to groom a younger wicketkeeper.” I said “okay, no issues.”
Wriddhiman Saha, a former Indian cricketer, boasts a career spanning 40 Tests, 9 One Day Internationals (ODIs), and 9 T20Is for the national team. His last appearance for India was against New Zealand at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium in 2021. Saha’s journey reflects a rich contribution to Indian cricket across formats, showcasing his versatility and skill on the international stage. His performances have left an indelible mark, defining him as a stalwart of the game.
Wriddhiman Saha’s IPL 2024 Performance:
In the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL), seasoned wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha showcased his skills representing Shubman Gill’s Gujarat Titans (GT). Despite his efforts, GT fell short of qualifying for the playoffs in the latest season. Saha contributed significantly, accumulating 136 runs across nine matches for the Titans during IPL 2024. The team, which triumphed in the 2022 edition, faced a setback this year, finishing eighth with a tally of 12 points from 14 matches in the league.
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