Wriddhiman Saha has declined to participate in the Ranji Trophy knockouts for Bengal. The experienced wicketkeeper for India, who is presently playing for Gujarat Titans (GT) in the Indian T20 League 2022, has declined the offer to be a part of the team that was offered to him by the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB).
Beginning on June 6 in Bengaluru, the quarterfinal match between Bengal and Jharkhand is set to take place. Saha didn’t participate in the league phase of the renowned tournament because the Indian selectors have decided to focus on developing the younger players rather than favoring Saha.
His remarkable career with the Bengals, which started in 2007, comes to an end as a result of this development. In the quarterfinal of the Ranji Trophy, which will take place on June 6 in Bangalore, Bengal will confront Jharkhand.
“The Cricket Association of Bengal wanted Wriddhiman Saha to play for Bengal at this crucial juncture especially when Bengal would be fighting in the Knockout stage in a bid to win the Ranji Trophy after becoming the top-ranked team in the country at the end of the Group Stage. I had expressed this to Wriddhiman and had requested him to reconsider his decision. However, Wriddhiman has now communicated to us that he is not willing to play the Ranji knockouts,” said CAB president Avishek Dalmiya.
Saha has no responsibility towards Bengal cricket: Das
After competing in 122 first-class games during his career, the wicketkeeper-batsman is now 37 years old and has asked the state federation for permission to play for further territory.
The CAB had at first decided to put him on the roster, alongside the India fast bowler Mohammed Shami, which led to a debate. As a result of this, there was an uproar in Bengal, and allegations began to circulate that Saha had requested NOC from the state. The CAB did neither confirm nor refute these claims, citing the confidentiality of any conversation that may have taken place between the organization and the sportsman.
“Any discussion that happens between a player and an organization is strictly between that player and the organization. I would like to completely refrain from making any comments at this stage,” Dalmiya added.
Considering Saha was no longer in favor of the Indian selections, he decided not to participate in the league phase of the game. This decision did not settle well with the board, and CAB acting secretary Debabrata Das questioned the cricketer’s commitment to the state.
“Wriddhi has no responsibility towards Bengal cricket. When he is not in the Indian team, he should play for Bengal,” said Debabrata Das.
As an opening batsman for the Gujarat Titans, Saha has been in excellent form thus far in the Indian Premier League. He has amassed 312 runs in 10 matches for his team. On Sunday, the Titans will compete in the championship final match in Ahmedabad.
