Wriddhiman Saha to Retire from Cricket After 2024-25 Ranji Trophy Season

Wriddhiman Saha, the veteran Indian wicketkeeper-batsman, has announced that he will retire from cricket following the ongoing 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season. This marks the end of a distinguished 17-year career in both international and domestic cricket, as confirmed in a recent social media post.

Saha is currently gearing up for Bengal's fourth-round fixture against Karnataka in Bengaluru. He returned to the Bengal team after a two-year stint as a player-mentor with Tripura, having rejoined the side following discussions with former India captain Sourav Ganguly.

The seasoned cricketer expressed his intention to focus solely on the first-class format, aiming to help Bengal secure the Ranji Trophy title, which has eluded him since the 2019-20 season when they lost to Saurashtra in the final. While Saha chose not to elaborate on the circumstances surrounding his earlier departure from the national team, he emphasized his desire to "only look forward" and explore opportunities in coaching rather than administrative roles.

Saha stepped into the role of India's first-choice wicketkeeper after MS Dhoni's retirement from Test cricket in 2014. However, his last appearance for the national team came in December 2021, after which he was informed by the then-team management, led by Rahul Dravid, that India would be moving on without him. At that point, despite being regarded as India's top wicketkeeper, the rise of Rishabh Pant made competition for the position increasingly fierce, although Saha remained a valuable backup option in various matches.

Upon his return to Bengal, Saha took on a mentorship role for young wicketkeeper Abishek Porel, who has since emerged as a regular player across all formats for Bengal. Porel's recent retention by the Delhi Capitals ahead of the upcoming IPL mega auction underscores Saha's impact on the next generation of cricketers.

As for his own future in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Saha is unlikely to participate in the auction this season. He has been a constant presence in the IPL since its inception in 2008, most recently playing for the Gujarat Titans, with whom he claimed the title in 2022. Over the years, Saha has also represented franchises such as Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Punjab Kings, where he notably scored a century in the 2014 final, leading them to the runners-up position.

As Saha prepares for his final chapter in cricket, his contributions to the sport and his mentorship of younger players will be remembered as he transitions into retirement.