A Gloveman Par Excellence Calls It Quits
Wriddhiman Saha, one of India’s finest wicketkeepers and a highly underrated batter, officially announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on February 1, following his last appearance for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25. With 40 Test matches and nine ODIs under his belt, Saha carved a niche for himself with his impeccable wicketkeeping skills and reliable batting performances.
Coaching Offers Rejected for Now
Post-retirement, many wondered if Saha would step into a coaching role. While he has been actively involved in coaching young players at a few academies, he is not ready for a full-fledged coaching position yet. In an interview with India Today, Saha revealed that he had turned down an offer from his former IPL team, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), as he felt he needed more experience before taking on such a responsibility.
“If I get a good offer, I’ll think about it. I’m currently coaching at two-three places and spending time with children. I had an offer from KKR, but I refused, saying I need to gain more experience as a coach to do justice to the job,” said Saha.
KKR and IPL Debut
Saha made his Indian Premier League (IPL) debut with KKR in the inaugural 2008 season, playing 12 matches and scoring 159 runs at an impressive average of 31.80. Despite showing promise, he was released after three seasons, paving the way for a move to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in 2011, where he played under MS Dhoni’s leadership.
Winning the IPL with CSK
Saha’s stint at CSK saw him become part of an IPL-winning squad in 2011. Although he didn’t get many chances to bat, he gained valuable experience playing alongside some of the best cricketers in the world.
Breakout Performance in IPL 2014 Final with PBKS
Saha’s career-defining IPL moment came in 2014 when he represented Punjab Kings (then Kings XI Punjab). During that season, he amassed 362 runs from 13 innings at an average of 32.90. His unbeaten 115 in the final against KKR remains one of the best knocks in an IPL final, though it was overshadowed by Manish Pandey’s heroics, which led KKR to victory.
Limited Opportunities at SRH
After his tenure with PBKS, Saha moved to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in 2018 but did not get many chances to showcase his talent. However, he made the most of his limited opportunities in IPL 2020, scoring 214 runs in just four innings at an incredible average of 71.33, including two half-centuries.
Glorious IPL Triumph with Gujarat Titans
In 2022, Saha joined the newly-formed Gujarat Titans (GT), where he played a key role in the team’s title-winning campaign. Scoring 317 runs from 11 innings at an average of 31.70, including three fifties, he proved his worth as an experienced campaigner. The following season, he recorded his highest run tally in an IPL edition with 371 runs from 17 innings. However, in the 2024 season, he failed to score a single half-century.
A Legacy of Determination and Excellence
Wriddhiman Saha’s career is a testament to perseverance, discipline, and skill. From being a backup to MS Dhoni to making a name for himself as India’s premier Test wicketkeeper, his journey is one of inspiration. While he steps away from professional cricket, his knowledge and experience will undoubtedly benefit young players in the years to come. Fans will eagerly wait to see if he takes up a coaching role in the future.(online casino)