IPL 2025: Why Wriddhiman Saha Turned Down Coaching Role at Kolkata Knight Riders?

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Former India and Bengal wicketkeeper-batter Wriddhiman Saha has explained why he has declined lucrative coaching offers, including one at current Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), saying he is not yet ready for a full-fledged role.

The 40-year-old Saha will take the field as a cricketer for one last time this Thursday (January 30) when Bengal faces Punjab in their last group-stage fixture of the Ranji Trophy 2024/25 season at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Saha, who announced he will retire from all forms of cricket after the Ranji Trophy season, was keen on taking up a coaching role post retirement, but the wicketkeeper-batter has revealed he may not be ready for a big role just yet.

Although he likes to take on the role to mentor youngsters, Saha is not in a hurry to take up a coaching role as he wants to spend time with his family, and in an interview with Sportstar, the veteran stumper explained why he has not taken up a big job.

"Throughout my career, I have believed that if someone wants to take up an assignment, they need to be absolutely ready - both in terms of preparation and mentality - only then can they succeed in that role," Saha told Sportstar.

Weighing in on the matter, Saha also revealed he had an offer from KKR, but needed more time to get into such kind of roles. "I'm not ready for that kind of coaching position yet, which is why I turned down an offer to be assistant coach at Kolkata Knight Riders. I'm sure it would have been a fantastic opportunity, but I had to decline because I knew I needed more time before committing to a full-fledged coaching role."

KKR is yet to announce additions to their coaching staff, which is led by head coach Chandrakant Pandit. Mentor Gautam Gambhir, assistant coach Abhishek Nayar and field coach Ryan Ten Doeschate, have all left their roles to take up positions in the Indian men's cricket team support staff.