Wriddhiman Saha opens up about Test team snub and his new role at Tripura

Veteran Indian wicket-keeper batter Wriddhiman Saha has witnessed many ups and downs throughout his professional cricketing career this year. 

The seasoned gloveman was snubbed from the Indian Test set-up, the only format he had been featuring in for Team India, which was followed by a difficult parting of ways with Bengal Cricket. 

Saha has been one of the most prominent servants of Bengal Cricket in domestic tournaments. However, the 37-year-old decided to leave after the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) official questioned his commitment to the side. However, this was not all, as he was a victim of unethical conduct by a renowned sports journalist that affected his personal life.    

The 37-year-old has found a new lease of life after joining the Tripura Cricket team as a mentor and a player.

Wriddhiman Saha impressed one and all after Dhoni retired from Test cricket in December 2014, more so as a keeper than a batsman. Impressing with his quick reflexes and acrobatic wicket-keeping skills, Saha became India's regular keeper in Tests until a certain Rishabh Pant came into the scene. 

His athleticism behind the stumps against fast-bowlers had not been seen in an Indian keeper in living memory, and he was always lauded for that by experts and critics. However, despite his limited batting abilities, Saha showed a stoic approach at the crease required in the direst circumstances when the batting stalwarts failed. 

Saha has played 40 Tests for India and 122 first-class games. He was one of the top performers for Gujarat Titans in IPL 2022. He played 11 games, scored 317 runs at a strike rate of 122.39 and played a crucial role in the Titans' title-winning season. Saha also holds the unique record of being the only cricketer to score a hundred in an IPL final. He achieved the feat in the 2014 IPL final against the Kolkata Knight Riders.

In a recent interaction with Sportskeeda, Saha opened up on a number of issues, including his non-selection for the rescheduled fifth Test against England in Birmingham.

When asked if the cricketer harbours hopes of making a comeback, Saha said, "The Indian team told me in February that they wanted to look beyond me. After performing well in the IPL, I thought they would consider me for the Birmingham Test against England.

Had they considered me for a Test recall, things could've been different. Everything is in the hands of the selectors. I hold no grudges against anyone and completely respect their decision".

Saha was heartbroken when CAB joint secretary Debabrata Das questioned his commitment to Bengal Cricket. The latter is currently travelling to the United Kingdom as Team India's manager.

"After he [Das] made those comments, I asked Avishek Dalmiya to do something about it. However, CAB took no action, and he was instead rewarded. That means nobody paid heed to my request," Saha was quoted as saying.

"The matter wasn't so serious that it couldn't be resolved. I never imagined that I would have to leave Bengal someday. But when I didn't get any response from CAB, I felt I had no dignity left. I've always played the sport with a lot of passion and commitment, so it hurt me even more”.