Cricket

Wriddhiman Saha, the veteran Indian wicketkeeper, has decided to extend his playing career for one more season, thanks to the persuasion of former India captain Sourav Ganguly. Saha had initially planned to retire after the 2022 season, but Ganguly convinced him to stay on and finish his career with Bengal.Saha, who has been battling injuries in recent years, will only play in the Ranji Trophy this season. He has made it clear that he will not be available for the white-ball leg of the domestic season.The 38-year-old Saha has had a distinguished career, playing 40 Tests for India and scoring over 1300 runs. He has also been a key member of the Indian team in limited-overs cricket.Saha's decision to continue playing has been welcomed by the Bengal Cricket Association (CAB). CAB president Avishek Dalmiya said, "We are delighted that Wriddhiman has decided to play for Bengal this season. He is a great asset to the team and his experience will be invaluable."Saha is also looking forward to mentoring the young wicketkeepers in the Bengal team. He said, "I want to share as much knowledge as I have in cricket. I've already started doing that at a couple of academies back home."Saha's decision to continue playing is a testament to his love for the game. He is a true warrior who has overcome many challenges in his career. He is an inspiration to all young cricketers who dream of playing at the highest level.

Wriddhiman Saha, the seasoned wicketkeeper-batsman, has announced his retirement from cricket after the ongoing Ranji Trophy season. The 38-year-old has had a distinguished career, representing India in 40 Test matches and 9 ODIs.Saha's journey began in 2007 when he made his First-Class debut for Bengal. He spent 15 years with the state team before moving to Tripura. His consistent performances earned him a national call-up in 2010, and he made his Test debut against South Africa.Over the next decade, Saha established himself as a reliable wicketkeeper and a valuable lower-order batsman. He played a crucial role in India's Test victories, including the historic series win in Australia in 2018-19.In the IPL, Saha represented several teams, including Kolkata Knight Riders, Punjab Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Gujarat Titans. He was part of the Gujarat Titans squad that won the inaugural IPL title in 2022.Saha's international career came to an end in December 2021 when he was informed by then India head coach Rahul Dravid that he was no longer in the team's plans. However, he continued to play in the IPL and made significant contributions to Gujarat Titans' championship victory.Throughout his career, Saha scored over 1300 runs in Tests, including three centuries and six half-centuries. He also took 92 catches and effected 12 stumpings. His exceptional wicketkeeping skills and ability to bat under pressure made him a valuable asset to any team.Saha's retirement marks the end of an era for Indian cricket. He was one of the most respected and experienced players in the team, and his absence will be felt. However, his legacy will continue to inspire young cricketers across the country.

Mohammed Shami Sidelined, Saha and Chatterjee Return for Bengal Ranji OpenerPremier Indian pacer Mohammed Shami will miss Bengal's first two Ranji Trophy matches due to an ankle injury. The veteran duo of Wriddhiman Saha and Sudip Chatterjee, however, have returned to the side after a brief hiatus.Shami, who last played in the 2023 ODI World Cup final, underwent surgery earlier this year and is still recovering. He had expressed his desire to play domestic cricket to assess his fitness before returning to international duty."If I need to play domestic cricket to test my fitness, I will," Shami had said. "What matters most is that I am fully ready for whatever comes next, regardless of the opposition or format."Saha, who made his Bengal debut in 2007, joined Tripura as a mentor and player in 2022 following a fallout with the Cricket Association of Bengal officials. Chatterjee, another experienced campaigner, has also returned to the fold.Under the leadership of captain Anustup Majumdar, the 19-member Bengal squad has departed for Lucknow, where they will face Uttar Pradesh in their opening match on October 11. Bengal will then host Bihar in the second round.Squad:* Anustup Majumdar (captain)* Abhimanyu Easwaran* Sudip Gharami* Sudip Chatterjee* Wriddhiman Saha* Shahbaz Ahmed* Abishek Porel* Writtick Chatterjee* Avilin Ghosh* Shuvam Dey* Akash Deep* Mukesh Kumar* Suraj Jaiswal* Mohd Kaif* Pradipta Pramanik* Aamir Gani* Yudhajit Guha* Rohit Kumar* Rishav Vivek

Wriddhiman Saha, the veteran Indian wicketkeeper-batter, has made a triumphant return to the West Bengal cricket team after a two-year stint with Tripura. Saha, who originally played for Bengal from 2007 to 2022, rejoined the team with aspirations of leading them to victory in major domestic tournaments.Saha's departure from Bengal in 2022 was prompted by a public fallout with a Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) official, who accused him of fabricating excuses to skip Ranji Trophy matches. This dispute led Saha to obtain a no-objection certificate (NOC) to play for Tripura."After playing for almost 15 years with the West Bengal cricket team, I played for the Tripura cricket team for two years. Now I have returned to play for the West Bengal cricket team... As a wicket-keeper batsman, I will try my best to help the team win major tournaments," Saha told ANI.Saha's return to Bengal is seen as a significant boost to the team's prospects in the upcoming domestic season. His experience and leadership will be invaluable assets to the team, which is aiming to win its first Ranji Trophy title since 1990.CAB president Snehasish Ganguly welcomed Saha's return, praising his impressive record of 40 Tests for India. "When Saha is there, he always gives his 200 percent. We are very focused on domestic cricket. We have a very good side this time," Ganguly said.Saha last played for India in 2021, scoring 1,353 runs in 40 Tests, which includes three centuries and six fifties. He has also represented India in five ODIs.Saha's return to Bengal is a testament to his unwavering commitment to the game and his desire to contribute to the success of his home state. His experience and leadership will be crucial as Bengal looks to challenge for domestic supremacy in the upcoming season.

Wriddhiman Saha, the veteran wicketkeeper-batter, has expressed his desire to move past his past differences with the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) and contribute to the team's success. Speaking at the Eden Gardens, Saha emphasized his focus on the present and his willingness to serve Bengal cricket in any capacity.Saha, 39, parted ways with Bengal before the 2022-23 season following a dispute with CAB joint-secretary Debabrata Das. However, he has now indicated his readiness to reconcile and help the team achieve its goals. "I don't think of the past or the future, but only stay in the present. And on that note, currently, all I am thinking about is about playing for Bengal. I have forgotten everything that happened in the past," he said.Saha also expressed his openness to coaching Bengal in the future. "I am open to help Bengal in any capacity possible. Since I am a cricketer, I would be better off helping Bengal in coaching instead of any administrative role," he said.CAB president Snehasish Ganguly welcomed Saha's return, acknowledging his experience and value to the team. "Someone of Saha's experience was necessary for Bengal to fill the gap left by Tiwary," Ganguly said.Saha's return raises questions about the balance between grooming young wicketkeeper Abishek Porel and utilizing Saha's experience. However, Saha assured that he would support Porel's growth and ensure he doesn't fall by the wayside. "Even before I left Bengal, I was grooming Abishek from the sidelines, and that will continue," Saha said.Saha also addressed concerns about the lack of Bengali cricketers in the Bengal team. He emphasized that merit should be the primary criteria for selection. "If you play well, you will get an opportunity, and that's what has been happening in Bengal," he said.Despite a disappointing season last year, Saha remains optimistic about Bengal's prospects. "I am sure the management will aim to give Abishek all the opportunities possible," he said. "I can understand that some people may feel that the Bengal team should have more Bengalis, but I don't feel that's enough reason as talent and hard work should be the primary criteria."

Wriddhiman Saha, the veteran wicketkeeper-batter, is set to make a triumphant return to Bengal for the upcoming Indian domestic season. He will also grace the inaugural Bengal Pro T20 league, which commences on Tuesday at the iconic Eden Gardens.Saha, who has represented Bengal for nearly 15 years, had moved to Tripura ahead of the 2022-23 season as a player-cum-mentor. However, after two years, he has decided to return to his home state.The 39-year-old was not initially included in the draft list for the Bengal Pro T20 league. However, he was picked by the Rashmi Medinipur Wizards team as a replacement for the injured Abhimanyu Easwaran. The Wizards, led by Sudip Chatterjee, also boast former India U-19 fast bowler Ishan Porel in their ranks.A total of eight teams will participate in the Pro T20 league, with each team playing seven league-stage matches. The semi-finals and final will be held on June 28 at the Eden Gardens."We are delighted to welcome Wriddhiman back to Bengal. His presence in the Bengal Pro T20 League will undoubtedly add to the tournament's allure," said Snehasish Ganguly, president of the Cricket Association of Bengal.Saha has an impressive first-class record, having played 136 matches and scoring 7013 runs at an average of 41.99. He has also represented India in 40 Test matches, scoring 1353 runs at an average of 29.41.In the recently concluded IPL 2023 season, Saha played for the Gujarat Titans, who won the title in their inaugural season. However, he had a disappointing campaign, scoring only 136 runs in nine innings.Saha's return to Bengal is expected to bolster the team's chances in both the Pro T20 league and the Ranji Trophy. His experience and leadership will be invaluable to the young players in the squad.

Wriddhiman Saha Returns to Bengal, Joins Rashmi Medinipur Wizards for Bengal Pro T20 LeagueVeteran wicketkeeper-batter Wriddhiman Saha is set to make a return to Bengal cricket after two seasons with Tripura. The 39-year-old has signed with the Rashmi Medinipur Wizards for the inaugural Bengal Pro T20 League.Saha's decision to return to Bengal was welcomed by Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president Snehasish Ganguly. "We are very happy to have Wriddhiman back in Bengal. Also, his interest in playing at the Bengal Pro T20 League will add more glamour to the League," Ganguly said.Saha, who hails from Siliguri, obtained a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Tripura Cricket Association to facilitate his move back to Bengal. He has also expressed his desire to participate in the Bengal Pro T20 League.In light of Saha's availability, the CAB has decided to replace the injured Abhimanyu Easwaran with Saha as a marquee player in the Rashmi Medinipur Wizards team for the inaugural season.Saha's return to Bengal is a significant boost for the state's cricket ecosystem. The experienced batter has played 40 Tests, 99 One-Day Internationals, and 19 Twenty20 Internationals for India. He has also been a key member of the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League (IPL).The Bengal Pro T20 League is scheduled to be held from June 22 to July 12, 2023. The tournament will feature six teams, each representing a different region of Bengal. The teams will compete in a round-robin format, with the top four teams advancing to the playoffs.Saha's presence in the Bengal Pro T20 League is expected to attract a large number of fans and add to the excitement of the tournament. His experience and leadership will be invaluable to the Rashmi Medinipur Wizards as they aim to make a strong impact in the inaugural season.

Former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly has urged veteran wicketkeeper-batter Wriddhiman Saha to play one final match for his home state Bengal before retiring. This request comes after Saha met with Ganguly in Agartala, Tripura, where Saha currently plays for the Tripura Cricket Association.Saha, 39, joined Tripura in 2022 following a rift with officials of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB). According to Tripura Cricket Association joint secretary Jayanta Dey, Ganguly expressed his desire for Saha to retire for Bengal, playing at least one last match.However, Saha has yet to request a no-objection certificate (NOC) from Tripura. Dey stated that Tripura recently granted an NOC to Sudip Chatterjee, who is set to return to Bengal, but Saha has not made such a request.It remains uncertain whether Saha will participate in the Bengal Pro T20 franchise league, which begins on June 11, as the players' draft for the teams has already been completed.Saha's meeting with Ganguly comes two years after he publicly criticized the Ganguly-led Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for not selecting him for the India home Test series against Sri Lanka. Saha revealed private dressing room conversations with head coach Rahul Dravid, who had suggested he consider retirement. He also claimed that Ganguly had assured him a spot in the team.Following these revelations, Saha opted out of playing for Bengal due to concerns raised by senior official Debabrata Das about his commitment. Saha subsequently quit the Bengal team's WhatsApp group and joined Tripura. Former CAB president Avishek Dalmiya attempted to persuade Saha to return to Bengal, but he remained firm in his decision.

In a comical exchange during the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) vs. Gujarat Titans (GT) match on Saturday, Virat Kohli delivered a witty response to Gujarat Titans' wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha's attempt to rally his team.As RCB chased a modest target of 148, skipper Faf du Plessis' blistering 64 gave them a strong start. The Titans, on the other hand, struggled to contain RCB's onslaught.At the end of the 7th over, with RCB reaching the 100-run mark, Saha was overheard urging his teammates, "Chalo, chalo runs roko, match kheecho" (Let's stop the runs and extend the match).Kohli, who overheard Saha's plea, retorted with a humorous quip, "B*, aise kaise match kheech lega!" (Nonsense, how can you extend the match like that!).Kohli's response drew laughter from the commentators and fans alike. He went on to score a quickfire 42 off 27 balls before being dismissed in the 10th over.Despite Kohli's dismissal, RCB continued their dominance, chasing down the target with ease in just 14 overs. The victory kept their slim playoff hopes alive.The exchange between Kohli and Saha highlighted the competitive spirit and camaraderie that exists within the IPL. It also showcased Kohli's quick wit and ability to lighten the mood even in tense situations.