Wriddhiman Saha Announces Retirement from Cricket

Indian cricket’s seasoned wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha has officially announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. Saha’s decision came after his final appearance in the Ranji Trophy match between Bengal and Punjab on February 1. Sharing the emotional news on social media, Saha expressed his heartfelt thanks to his family, support staff, and various cricket associations that were part of his journey throughout his professional career.

Saha’s career is noted for its impressive statistics, having scored over 16,000 runs across all formats including Tests, ODIs, List A, First Class, and T20 cricket. A significant part of his cricket career was his contribution to the Indian Test team, playing 40 matches following the retirement of MS Dhoni. Saha was admired for his exceptional wicketkeeping skills and regarded as India’s premier choice in the longest format.

One of the standout moments in Saha’s career was scoring a notable century in the 2014 Indian Premier League (IPL) final. Throughout his IPL career, he played for multiple franchises, including Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings, Kings XI Punjab, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Gujarat Titans. Notably, in the 2023 IPL season, Saha delivered strong performances, amassing 371 runs for the Gujarat Titans.

In his farewell note, Saha expressed deep gratitude to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the Cricket Association of Bengal, and the Tripura Cricket Association for their continued support. He also acknowledged his IPL teams, his childhood coach Jayanta Bhowmick, and various other individuals including ground staff and critics who contributed to his growth. Reflecting on his 28-year career which began in 1997, Saha penned that cricket had been a teacher and a core part of his identity.

As he transitions from the field, Wriddhiman Saha has expressed his intent to focus on his family, marking the next chapter in his life after a fulfilling cricket career.