Wriddhiman Saha, the veteran Indian wicketkeeper-batsman, is poised for a homecoming in Bengal cricket. After a two-year hiatus playing for Tripura, Saha reportedly met with former BCCI president Sourav Ganguly and expressed interest in returning to Bengal.
Why did Saha left Bengal?
Wriddhiman Saha’s departure from Bengal in 2022 stemmed from a reported disagreement with a Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) official who questioned his commitment. Unhappy with these comments, Saha opted for a fresh start with Tripura, joining them as a player-mentor. Saha even had a stellar record while playing for Tripura, having scored 590 runs at an average of 42.14, including five fifties and one centuries.
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A new chapter for Saha with Bengal?
However, it appears a bridge has been built. According to sources, Ganguly reportedly encouraged Saha to play at least once for Bengal before retiring. While an official confirmation from Saha is awaited, the Tripura Cricket Association has acknowledged discussions about his return to Bengal.
“All we know so far is that Ganguly has told him (Saha) to play at least one game for Bengal before hanging up his boots. However, he is yet to formally convey to us his decision,” a TCA official said, according to SportsStar.
Saha’s return is a significant boost for Bengal. A Bengal stalwart, Saha has been a vital cog in their batting lineup for years, known for his grit and ability to bail the team out of tough situations. His return coincides with the homecoming of another talented batsman, Sudip Chatterjee, who also played for Tripura briefly before rejoining Bengal.
This influx of experience is crucial for Bengal, which is aiming to improve upon a disappointing last season. The absence of key players like Mukesh Kumar and Akash Deep due to national commitments exposed Bengal’s vulnerabilities. The return of Saha and Chatterjee provides much-needed stability and depth to the batting order.
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