Kolkata: At a time when all focus is on India stars returning to play the Ranji Trophy, a former India player gets ready to make a quiet exit. The Ranji Trophy Elite Group ‘C' match between Bengal and Punjab beginning here on Thursday will bring the curtains down on the playing career of Wriddhiman Saha.
The wicketkeeper-batter, who made his senior Bengal debut in 2007 at the Eden Gardens, will end it at the same venue. "I am not an emotional person. Everything comes to an end one day. It was to happen today or tomorrow, so I will approach my last game as any other one," he stated on Wednesday.
The 40-year-old, who played 40 Test matches and nine ODIs, said he would leave with no regrets, but with a sense of gratitude. "There's no regret for me. I always believed there's no point complaining or lamenting about what you missed. I rather focus on what I got and when I do that a sense of gratitude engulfs me," he said.
Looking back he wanted to thank everyone who helped him in any capacity in his journey. "Whatever I have achieved was because of the people who helped me at different stages. The game has given me everything that I have today. I am thankful for that," he said, adding that he began playing by loving the game, but "only after I graduated from the U-19 level that I started dreaming big."
A wicketkeeper-batter who had scored more than 10,000 runs in domestic cricket and 1,394 runs in international cricket across formats, looked content with a quiet farewell. "It was never about me, but always the team. Even in my farewell game, I would love to see Bengal win rather than me achieving any milestone," Saha, who made his Ranji debut with a hundred against Hyderabad, said. "I have always enjoyed the team's success over individual feats. Had I played for myself, I would have ended with much better statistics," he added.
Asked whether he felt hurt after being unceremoniously left out of the India side, Saha said, "That would be a selfish thought. Leaving me out cannot be any individual's decision. I was out because I must not have lived up to the team's expectations or needs."
Road ahead:
Saha indicated his willingness to keep associated with the game in some capacity in future. "I have won so many other trophies. However, the Ranji title eluded me. I hope I will achieve it in some other way," he stated, raising questions about his coaching role. "I am already associated with a coaching centre. I am always open to helping my state cricket in any role. But Bengal should also want me," he smiled.
Mukesh out, Sudip back:
Bengal will miss Mukesh Kumar who is nursing a neck niggle. However, Sudip Chatterjee has reovered from his injury and will open with youngster Ankit Chatterjee. Pacer Sumit Mohanta and Vishal Bhati is all set to debut for Bengal. Punjab, on the other hand, will be without their star players Subhman Gill, Ramandeep Singh and Arshdeep Singh.
Wriddhi's takes
Best Coach: Anil Kumble
Best IPL Coach: Kane Williamson, George Bailey
Best Captain: Virat Kohli
Best Wicketkeeper: Mark Boucher.
Best Wicketkeeper-Batter: Adam Gilchrist
Toughest Bowlers to Keep: Pacers: Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishan Sharma