Wriddhiman Saha, the accomplished wicketkeeper-batter, has brought the curtain down on his illustrious cricket career, following his decision to retire after his final Ranji Trophy match on February 1, 2025. Reflecting on his journey and the pivotal moments of his career, Saha shared candid insights, particularly about his exclusion from the Indian team in 2021. At that time, Saha had hoped to continue playing for India for another 2-3 years, contributing his experience and skill to the squad. However, the team management, in their pursuit of young and long-term players, decided to go in a different direction, leaving Saha out of the team.
Despite the disappointment of not being a part of India’s setup anymore, Saha expressed that he had no second thoughts regarding the decision. "The team management decided not to keep me in the team. I had planned to play for some more time. I thought I would play 2-3 years more for India, but unfortunately, they looked for long-term players and had different choices. There's no second thought, and I had to focus on IPL and domestic cricket," he shared with a sense of acceptance. While his international career ended earlier than anticipated, Saha shifted his focus to the IPL and domestic cricket, where he continued to showcase his expertise and passion for the game.
Saha’s decision to retire was not made lightly. He had experienced the highs and lows of a career spanning more than a decade, during which he made significant contributions to the Indian team. Throughout his journey, Saha always focused on helping his teammates and elevating the team’s spirit. "I’ve enjoyed playing cricket so far. I tried to help everyone in the team. There have been ups and downs, but I remember them every time," Saha reflected, indicating his deep love for the game and the camaraderie he shared with his colleagues.
During his career, Saha had the privilege of playing under three of India’s most iconic captains—Sourav Ganguly, MS Dhoni, and Virat Kohli. Each of these captains had a unique style of leadership that Saha admired. He spoke fondly of all three, praising their leadership qualities. "I’ve played a lot under Virat Kohli, and whoever plays under a captain tends to like them. Virat developed as a captain day by day. Dhoni was very cool, and Dada (Sourav Ganguly) had excellent game-reading abilities. I liked all the cool captains," Saha stated, emphasizing the impact these leaders had on his career. His response was diplomatic, showcasing his respect for all three captains and recognizing the unique strengths they brought to the team.
On India’s recent performances and the struggles of players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, Saha displayed his unwavering support. He acknowledged that every player goes through phases of poor form and that these struggles are a part of the sport. However, he firmly believes that both Kohli and Rohit are world-class players who will bounce back stronger. "Normally, it happens. India has always been at the top. Ups and downs are part and parcel. Virat and Rohit are world-class players, and they will make a comeback from their bad patches," said Saha, offering his perspective on the resilience of these stars.
Saha also extended his support to India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, especially after the team’s loss in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy to Australia. Saha highlighted the pressure that comes with the job of coaching and acknowledged Gambhir’s determination to overcome challenges. "It's a tough job, and we're going through rough patches. Gautam Gambhir's nature is to come back stronger, and I'm sure he will," Saha added. This statement further reflects Saha's understanding of the pressures that come with coaching and his confidence in Gambhir’s ability to lead the team through challenging times.
Looking toward the future, Saha is now considering a career in coaching. Although he previously turned down an offer from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), citing his lack of coaching experience, Saha is open to future opportunities. "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," Saha explained. His thoughtful approach to coaching indicates his desire to ensure that he is adequately prepared for such a role before taking it on. This demonstrates his commitment to doing justice to the position and mentoring the next generation of cricketers with the experience he has amassed over the years.
While his time as a player has come to an end, Saha’s contributions to Indian cricket will not be forgotten. His legacy as a dependable wicketkeeper and a team player has left an indelible mark on Indian cricket. With his focus now shifting to coaching and mentorship, Saha’s wealth of knowledge and experience will undoubtedly benefit future generations of cricketers. As he transitions into this new phase, Saha’s involvement in coaching is likely to help nurture young talent, providing invaluable guidance to those coming through the ranks of Indian cricket.
