Wriddhiman Saha Announces Retirement from Cricket After Final Ranji Trophy Season

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Wriddhiman Saha, one of India's most respected wicket-keepers, has officially announced his retirement from all formats of cricket. In a heartfelt post on social media, Saha revealed that he will conclude his cricketing journey at the end of the ongoing Ranji Trophy season, representing Bengal one final time.

"After a cherished journey in cricket, this season will be my last. I am honoured to represent Bengal one final time, playing only in the Ranji Trophy before I retire. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this incredible ride," he wrote, expressing gratitude to fans and teammates.

Saha's cricketing career has spanned over a decade, during which he represented India in 40 Test matches and 9 ODIs. Known for his exceptional wicket-keeping skills, Saha scored 1,353 runs in Test cricket, which includes three centuries and six half-centuries.

He also recorded 92 catches and 12 stumpings, solidifying his reputation as one of the finest glovemen India has seen. Post-MS Dhoni's retirement, Saha became India's first-choice keeper in red-ball cricket, admired for his technical skill behind the stumps.

His international career came to an end in 2021 when the Indian team management, led by head coach Rahul Dravid, decided to look for younger options, naming KS Bharat as Rishabh Pant's backup. Wriddhiman had been sidelined from the national team.

However, he still continued to be active in domestic cricket and the IPL, even helping Gujarat Titans to a title in their debut season in 2022. Saha's IPL journey is equally storied, with appearances for franchises such as Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings, Punjab Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Gujarat Titans.

Notably, he is one of the few players who has featured in every IPL season since its inception in 2008. However, Saha did not register for the upcoming 2025 IPL auction, signaling his departure from the T20 league as well.

His return to Bengal this season marks an emotional full-circle moment for Saha, who had moved to Tripura in recent years. Despite a rocky exit from Bengal earlier due to differences with Cricket Association of Bengal officials, Saha rejoined the team this season, vowing to make it a memorable one.