New Delhi: India wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha donned the gloves at the iconic Eden Gardens for the final time on Thursday during Bengal’s Ranji Trophy match against Punjab, marking a memorable farewell. He also took two crucial catches, dismissing the opposition openers.
India wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha has suggested that his exclusion from the team three years ago was likely not a decision made by just one individual. He believes it was perhaps because he wasn’t seen as “capable” enough or didn’t meet the expectations set for him. Once regarded as one of the best in the business, Saha was pushed out of the spotlight after Rishabh Pant emerged as a star in his own right.
Saha kept wickets at the iconic Eden Gardens for the final time on Thursday during Bengal’s Ranji Trophy match against Punjab. Despite being considered one of India’s finest glovemen, Saha’s international career came to an end four years ago when the new team management, under head coach Rahul Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma, opted to prioritize KS Bharat as Rishabh Pant’s backup.
“I wouldn’t call it injustice. That would be selfish. Maybe it wasn’t just one person’s decision. Maybe I wasn’t capable enough or didn’t deliver as expected, so they made their choice,” Saha shared with the media after the day’s play in Kolkata. “If I had performed better, this wouldn’t have happened. I don’t dwell on it, I just take the positives from whatever comes my way,” he added.
On his fitness and continued contribution to the side, Saha expressed that he still believes he can play for India. He recalled his crucial unbeaten 63 against Karnataka in November but also acknowledged his recent scores of 10, 44, 8, and 25 since then, suggesting a mixed run of form.
“If I was in the team, I would have contributed with good catches or solid innings. I’ve tried my best for Bengal. In slip fielding, I haven’t missed a single catch. I’ve enjoyed every bit of it,” Saha said. The former India wicketkeeper, who turned 40 in October last year, made his retirement decision public in a social media post in November.
Saha’s decision to retire had been on his mind for some time, but he was persuaded to extend his career by former India captain Sourav Ganguly and his wife, Romi. Their support played a key role in him continuing to play for Bengal before eventually announcing his retirement.
