Wriddhiman Saha Retires From All Forms Of Cricket
An era in Indian cricket came to an end today with the announcement by one of the most respected wicket-keepers and a stalwart in the Test arena, Wriddhiman Saha, to retire from all forms of cricket, marking the close of the current season of Ranji Trophy with it, writing the last chapter in the book opened 17 years ago, full of golden performances and unremitting dedication to the sport.
Career Summary:
Born in Siliguri, West Bengal, in 1984, on October 24, Saha started in cricket with the Bengal side in the domestic arena. He made his international debut in Test cricket in 2010 against South Africa, originally as a batsman, before rising to become India’s first-choice wicket-keeper after MS Dhoni announced his retirement from Test cricket.
International success:
Saha has played 40 Test matches and scored 1,353 runs at an average of 29.41, notching 3 hundreds and 6 fifties, along with 92 catches and 12 stumpings. His best series was arguably in the home 2016-17 season against England and Australia, where he not only scored some crucial runs but also made a few important dismissals through his keeping.
Having had few opportunities in limited-overs formats, Saha played 9 ODI matches and had a short spell in the T20 format, showing his versatile character.
Domestic and IPL Contributions:
In his domestic career, Saha has been a prolific performer, having taken over 7,000 runs in first-class cricket on behalf of Bengal and Tripura, having scored 14 centuries and 43 half-centuries. His commitment to domestic cricket was amply illustrated by the decision to play his last season of his career with Bengal in the Ranji Trophy.
His presence has been with the IPL ever since its outset in 2008. He has played for different franchises, including the Kolkata Knight Riders, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and the most recent being the Gujarat Titans. He is the first man to score a century in an IPL final, and he was known for getting explosive starts, amassing 2,934 runs in 170 matches.
Retirement Announcement:
In a candid post on social media, Saha expressed his gratitude towards the life cricket has offered him when he stated, “After a cherished journey in cricket, this season will be my last. For the last time, I am honored to represent Bengal, playing only in the Ranji Trophy before I retire. Let’s make this season one to remember!” The announcement ultimately opened the farewell remarks to an applause of good wishes from cricket fans and supporters urging him to take care of himself, saying “thank you” for giving so much to Indian cricket.
Legacy and Impact:
Saha’s legacy for Indian cricket is his wicket-keeping skills that have been labelled as some of the best in the world, together with one more outstanding feature: his fighting spirit in the batting. His retirement will create a vacuum in Indian cricket, especially in the Test format due to his experience accumulated over managing the aspects suited for the tests. In the past recent years since he has begun to mentor and also lead the domestic teams in India, it shapes the future talents.
Plans After Retirement:
Even though Saha hasn’t outlined clearly what his post-retirement plans are, speculations are rife that it could involve coaching or commentary, owing to sheer depth of understanding of the game. Passionate appeals are there, especially borne out of his sensibilities toward cricket, that his unique experience should now be shared for the betterment of the budding lot.
Conclusion:
Wriddhiman Saha’s retirement marks the end of a personal odyssey and an occasion for Indian cricket to stop and appreciate a contribution from one of its finest behind-the-stump operators. His cricketing career has been testimony to devotion, skill, and resilience that any cricketer of his stature has to have. With his farewell conquest, Saha will leave behind a legacy of excellence, dedication, and a passion for cricket to inspire generations to come.
Also Read: AB De Villiers Returning To Cricket After 4 Years
