Former and current Indian cricketers Shikhar Dhawan, Rishabh Pant, Irfan Pathan, and Cheteshwar Pujara shared a heartfelt message for former wicketkeeper-batter Wriddhiman Saha as he announced his retirement from all formats of cricket. Saha played his last match against Punjab with Bengal in the Ranji Trophy Elite 2024-25 Group C encounter. The wicketkeeper-batter failed to shine in the final game of his illustrious career. He was dismissed for a seven-ball duck by Gurnoor Brar of Punjab. However, Saha’s performance did not affect Bengal much as they clinched a victory by an innings and 13 runs over Punjab.

Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan took to his official social media handle and gave him best wishes for his new phase of life.

“From sharing dressing rooms to seeing you pull off those insane stumpings, what a journey you’ve had bro! Wishing you all the success and happiness in this new phase of life. You’ll always be a champion,” Dhawan wrote in a post on X.

From sharing dressing rooms to seeing you pull off those insane stumpings, what a journey you’ve had bro! Wishing you all the success and happiness in this new phase of life. You’ll always be a champion @Wriddhipops ???? pic.twitter.com/lFjEKljAsB

— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) February 1, 2025

The former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan congratulated Wriddhiman Saha for his cricketing career and called him “udtaaaaaa Saha”.

“Congratulations @Wriddhipops on your career. Your wicket-keeping skills were the best we had in test cricket. Will miss calling it “udtaaaaaa Saha”. I’m sure you will keep flying high in your second innings buddy. Good luck,” Irfan Pathan wrote on X.

Congratulations @Wriddhipops on your career. Your wicket keeping skills were the best we had in test cricket. Will miss calling it “udtaaaaaa Saha”. I’m sure you will keep flying high in your second innings buddy. Good luck. pic.twitter.com/OT42TBZ3pr

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) February 1, 2025

Saurashtra and India right-hand batter Cheteshwar Pujara said that Wriddhiman Saha’s contribution for Indian cricket is invaluable.

“Congratulations on an incredible career @Wriddhipops! …Your contribution to Indian cricket has been invaluable. It has been a pleasure spending time with you on and off the field! Best wishes for the journey ahead,” Pujara wrote in a post on X.

Congratulations on an incredible career @Wriddhipops! ????…Your contribution to Indian cricket has been invaluable. It has been a pleasure spending time with you on and off the field!

Best wishes for the journey ahead ???? pic.twitter.com/znRCk7ZdJG

— Cheteshwar Pujara (@cheteshwar1) February 1, 2025

Rishabh Pant shared a photo along with Wriddhiman Saha on his social media handle and said that he has always admired his skills and craft.

“As a fellow keeper, I have always admired your skills and your craft. Wishing you all the success and happiness in your next chapter @Wriddhipops bhaiya,” Pant wrote on X.

As a fellow keeper, I have always admired your skills and your craft. Wishing you all the success and happiness in your next chapter @Wriddhipops bhaiya. #RP17 pic.twitter.com/xNf2yrjZLn

— Rishabh Pant (@RishabhPant17) February 1, 2025

Earlier on Friday, Saha also received a guard of honour from his teammates as he went down on the crease to bat for the last time.

Taking to X, Saha recalled the first time he stepped onto a cricket field in 1997. He added that it was an honour for him to represent his country, state, district, clubs, university, college, and school.

“It has been 28 years since I first stepped onto a cricket field in 1997, and what a journey it has been! Representing my country, state, district, clubs, university, college, and school has been the greatest honor of my life. Everything I am today, every achievement, every lesson learned- l owe it all to this wonderful game… Now it is time to begin a new chapter, dedicating myself to my family and friends, cherishing the moments I may have missed, and embracing life beyond the field. I am eternally grateful to my parents, my beloved elder brother Anirban, and my extended family. Their sacrifices and unwavering belief in my dreams made this journey possible…,” Saha wrote on X.

The 40-year-old extended his heartfelt gratitude to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for their support throughout his career.

“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the BCCI, its presidents, secretaries, and all office bearers for their support throughout my career. A sincere thank you to all my coaches, mentors, physios, trainers, analysts, teammates, logistics teams, masseurs, and every support staff member of the Indian Cricket Team, Bengal Cricket Team, Tripura Cricket Team, and all the clubs, districts, universities, and school teams I had the privilege of representing. Your faith in me and your constant encouragement have meant the world. I am deeply thankful to the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) and the Tripura Cricket Association (TCA) for their trust and support throughout my career…,” he added.

He also gave special mention to his childhood coach, Jayanta Bhowmick for his guidance both on and off the field.

“A special mention to my childhood coach, Jayanta Bhowmick, who saw something in me long before I saw it in myself. Your guidance, both on and off the field, has been a blessing in my life. To my friends, ground staff, net bowlers, dressing room attendants, fans, scorers, well-wishers, critics, and journalists each of you played a role in my journey. Your support, encouragement, and even your criticism pushed me to be better, to work harder, and to never stop learning… This game has given me more than I could have ever imagined. It has been my passion, my teacher, my identity. As I walk away from the field, I do so with immense gratitude, carrying memories that will last a lifetime. Thank you, cricket. Thank you all,” he concluded.

Thank You, Cricket. Thank You everyone. ???? pic.twitter.com/eSKyGQht4R

— Wriddhiman Saha (@Wriddhipops) February 1, 2025

Saha made his first-class debut in 2007, following that he has played 142 matches and 210 innings, scoring 7169 runs at a strike rate of 48.65 and an average of 41.43. He slammed 14 centuries and 44 fifties in the first-class cricket.

Earlier in November 2024, Wriddhiman Saha announced his retirement from international cricket. Saha last played for India in 2021 and has scored 1,353 runs in 40 Tests for India, with three centuries and six fifties in 56 innings. He has also played five ODIs for India.

Arguably the finest wicket-keeper India have had in this generation, Wriddhiman Saha donned the gloves for the national team in the whites for 40 matches. When it came to Tests in India, it wasn’t even possible for the selectors and the team management to look for a name other than Saha because of his exceptional keeping skills. However, in 2022, Rishabh Pant‘s stocks soared as the management backed the young keeper to take the spot behind the stumps, both in the subcontinent and overseas, marking the end of Saha’s tenure.

The wicket-keeper from Bengal couldn’t make a comeback thereafter. However Saha doesn’t have anything bad to say for the selectors, the captain, coach or any other member of the team for his ouster.

“I wouldn’t call it injustice. That would be selfish. Maybe it wasn’t just one person’s decision. Maybe I wasn’t capable enough or didn’t deliver as expected, so they made their choice,” Saha told reporters in Kolkata after his final match of the professional career, for Bengal against Punjab.

“If I had performed better, this wouldn’t have happened. I don’t dwell on it — I just take the positives from whatever comes my way,” he further said.

Saha also revealed that he would’ve said goodbye to professional cricket earlier, if it wasn’t for his wife and former India captain Sourav Ganguly.

“If I was in the team, I would have contributed with good catches or good innings. I’ve tried my best for Bengal. In slip fielding, I haven’t missed a single catch. I’ve enjoyed every bit of it,” he said.

“I had planned to retire last season itself. But only because of Dadi (Sourav Ganguly) and my wife Romi pushed it to this season. Otherwise, I would have retired by now,” he revealed.

Saha, at the age of 40, retires as one of the finest wicket-keepers India have produced in its history.

“I’ve always been like this. It’s my choice to be carefree. I don’t seek attention. I just want to remain the same humble player on the field. I’ve always been comfortable with that.”

Wriddhiman Saha had planned to retire from cricket when he went to the Eden Gardens in June. However, after a meeting to resolve issues with the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) which had caused his move to Tripura for two seasons, Saha changed his mind. The key reason was Sourav Ganguly. The former India captain convinced Saha to stay and finish his career with Bengal. Despite dealing with multiple injuries, Saha decided to continue playing with the help of the team’s physio.

“You can say it was because of emotional attachment,” he said, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

“I wasn’t going to play this year but Sourav Ganguly and my wife pushed me to play and finish with Bengal after two seasons with Tripura,” he added.

Saha agreed to play but clarified he wouldn’t be available for the white-ball segment of the domestic season, knowing he couldn’t handle the full season’s demands. He also wanted to give others a chance, having already informed Gujarat Titans he wouldn’t participate in the IPL anymore.

One of the beneficiaries of Saha’s move to Tripura has been Abishek Porel, who has excelled in Saha’s absence and earned retention by Delhi Capitals. As a mentor to young wicketkeepers, Saha finds this gratifying.

“I’ve been pushing myself for the last year. But because of my body condition and injuries, I won’t be able to play for the full season,” he noted, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

“That’s why I chose the most vital format – Ranji Trophy. It will be tough [to carry on] but I will play and hopefully, we qualify. If we do, I will play till the end of the season, else I’ll finish off at Eden Gardens,” he added.

“I was already prepared that I won’t play this year but when my wife and Sourav Ganguly pushed me, I couldn’t refuse,” Saha said.

Still regarded as one of the best wicketkeepers in India and possibly the world, Saha is content with his career. Despite overlapping with MS Dhoni and later Rishabh Pant, he does not consider himself unlucky.

“There are so many of them who didn’t play despite toiling so hard. Amol Muzumdar, Padmakar Shivalkar sir. I feel fortunate and proud to have played 40 Tests for India,” he said.

Saha finished his Test career with 1353 runs in 56 innings, averaging 29.41, with three centuries and six half-centuries. His standout moment was scoring unbeaten half-centuries in both innings to help India defeat New Zealand in 2016. While he feels he maybe could’ve done more with the bat, Saha emphasizes that his priority was always wicketkeeping.

“When I started, I was a wicketkeeper. I knew I could never be as good as Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, Virender Sehwag, VVS Laxman and Virat Kohli,” Saha said.

“I wanted to earn a name in what I did from childhood – that’s why I put more emphasis on wicketkeeping,” he added.

Having learnt from Kiran More, Saba Karim, and Deep Dasgupta, and having had chats with Dhoni, and interactions with Adam Gilchrist and Ian Healy, Saha has always aimed to be his best. Now, he enjoys mentoring young keepers.

“I’ve spoken to keepers from the women’s team, we keep talking to each other,” he said.

“Last IPL, Dhruv Jurel spoke to me. Rishabh [Pant] has done it all along when we played together. The understanding was good, he used to share his experiences, and I used to give him as much input as possible,” he noted, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

Reflecting on his career, Saha is pleased he continued playing for three more years despite being told in late 2021 by then-coach Rahul Dravid that the Indian team was moving on from him.

“That door got closed, but I knew domestic, and IPL was still there,” he said.

“It wasn’t like I got demoralised because of that. I’ve played now for three years since that. Why did I start playing? Because I like it. Last year, I’d stopped liking the game and planned to leave. After this season, I’m moving on,” he added.

“Hopefully we can make the final. If not, I’ll finish off at Eden Gardens,” he concluded.

Veteran wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha, who returned to Bengal after two seasons with Tripura, expressed his plans to play in all three formats for the state in the forthcoming domestic season. The 39-year-old Saha, who has played 40 Tests, scoring 1353 runs with three centuries and six fifties, had parted ways with Bengal in 2022-23 following a clash with Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) secretary Debabrata Das, who alleged Saha was making excuses to avoid playing for Bengal. However, on Monday, Saha said he would like to discuss the past and was focused on the upcoming season.

“I am happy and excited to be back in Bengal. I am looking forward to playing and giving my best for the state. As of now, my plan is to play in all three formats for Bengal, and it will depend on how things go ahead in the season,” Wriddhiman said during a press meet at the Eden Gardens on Monday.

The right-handed batter was accompanied by the Cricket Association of Bengal President Snehasish Ganguly and CAB Hon. Secretary Naresh Ojha.

Speaking about Saha’s return to Bengal, Snehasish Ganguly said, “It is a matter of great joy to welcome Wriddhi back in Bengal. He has served us a lot in the past. I hope his return will strengthen the team, and Bengal will aim for a better performance in the upcoming season. I wish Wriddi the very best for the forthcoming season.”

Saha, the veteran wicketkeeper-batsman, credited former India captain Sourav Ganguly for helping settle things between him and CAB.

“Bengal now has a blend of both youth and experience. I hope this combination will help in building a strong team. As a team, we are not looking too far ahead, rather focusing on our job at hand and preparing well for the season,” said Saha.

When asked about his age and retirement, Saha said, “Age is just a number for me. As long as I am motivated to play this game, I will continue playing. I have no plans for retirement as of now. As and when I think of quitting the game, I will retire from all formats of the game.”

When quizzed about his role alongside young and promising wicketkeeper-batsman Abishek Porel, who has already established himself in the team, Wriddi said, “I will do anything possible for the betterment of the team. I will always be a team man, and I am ready to do what is best for the team and also, help prolong the cricketing career of a talented player like Abishek.”

File photo of Wriddhiman Saha© AFP