Riddhiman Saha will retire from all forms of cricket after the continuation of the Ranji Trophy

Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Riddhiman Saha has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket at the end of the current Ranji Trophy season. The 40-year-old, known for his prowess against stumps and decisive knocks for India, shared the news on social media on Sunday. Saha expressed his gratitude for the “cherished cricket journey” and his commitment to making this final season for Bengal a memorable one.

Saha had a distinguished career in Test cricket, playing 40 matches for India and scoring 1,353 runs, including three centuries. Known for his exceptional wicket-keeping skills, Saha emerged as India’s best wicketkeeper-batsman after the departure of M.S. Dhoni is from the longest format of the game. The number of centuries scored by an Indian wicketkeeper in Tests puts him behind only Dhoni and Rishabh Pant. However, his last appearance in international cricket was in 2021 against New Zealand. Despite some solid performances, Saha was sidelined when the new management under head coach Rahul Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma decided to bring in KC Bharat as Pant’s backup.

Reminiscing about his journey, Saha shared on X (formerly Twitter), “After a cherished journey in cricket, this season will be my last. It is an honor to represent Bengal one last time, playing only in the Ranji Trophy, before retiring. Thank you. to you all who were part of this incredible trip; your support meant the world.”

While Saha is set to play in the Ranji Trophy for Bengal, he will not be seen in the IPL next year. Not hired by Gujarat Titans, Saha also did not register for the mega auction, a clear sign of his retirement from franchise cricket. A veteran of the Indian Premier League, Saha has played every season since its inception in 2008, representing Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings, Punjab Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad and most recently Gujarat Titans.

After spending 15 years representing Bengal in first-class cricket, Saha made headlines last season when he moved to Tripura. A dispute with a senior Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) official who questioned his commitment to the team forced Saha to leave Bengal temporarily despite an appeal by former CAB chief Avishek Dalmiya. However, after a conversation with Sourav Ganguly, former India captain and ex-BCCI president, Saha decided to return to Bengal for the final season, taking on the role of mentor to his younger teammates.

The season was a nostalgic finale for Saha as he once again donned Bengal colours, determined to contribute to the team’s success in his swan song. “Let’s make this season one to remember…” he wrote as fans and teammates rallied around him to support him at his farewell tournament.