Sourav Ganguly pushed me to finish with Bengal

Wriddhiman Saha was at odds with the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB). The veteran had left his home state in 2022, following a tiff with Debabrata Das, the joint secretary of the board. That happened at the tail end of his career. No one, including Saha, knew what would happen. Then in June, while still with Tripura, he visited the Eden Gardens and made up his mind. He was going to retire. However, it wasn’t until earlier this month that Saha announced it.

Ganguly urges Saha to return

He credits finishing his career at home, i.e., Eden Gardens and Bengal, to former Indian captain, Sourav Ganguly. Currently in Bengaluru, for their fourth game of the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 season, Saha revealed why he returned to his home state. “You can say it was because of emotional attachment. 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 said.

Want to finish at Eden Gardens

With Debabrata leaving the CAB, it’s safe to assume Saha found it easy coming back. But his body hasn’t helped him. Being a wicketkeeper isn’t easy. Irrespective of what happens, you get down, then up and then run to the wickets. He knows he won’t be able to play the white-ball formats, so Saha chose the Ranji Trophy. Naturally, he hopes Bengal wins, but if they don’t qualify for the knockouts, he wishes to finish at home, Eden Gardens.

“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. That’s why I chose the most vital format—the Ranji Trophy. It will be tough, 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,” Saha added.

Decision to retire, very easy for Wriddhiman Saha

Was it tough to retire? Saha says no. He knew that he wasn’t going to play for India again but continued to play in the IPL and domestic circuit, and then suddenly last year, he says he stopped liking cricket and decided to leave the sport. “It was very easy, I was already prepared. That door (India return) got closed, but I knew domestic, and IPL was still there. It wasn’t like I got demoralised because of that. I’ve played now for three-four 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 said.