Sourav Ganguly, a former leader of India’s cricket team, suggested to Wriddhiman Saha, a senior wicketkeeper, that he should play one final game for his home state of Bengal before retiring. This advice came during a meeting between Ganguly and Saha, who had some disagreements with officials from the Cricket Association of Bengal in 2022 and later joined the Tripura Cricket Association.
“Ganguly wants Saha to retire for Bengal, playing at least one last match. Saha told me this. But he’s yet to ask for a NOC (no objection certificate) from Tripura,” Dey told PTI. “We have recently given NOC to Sudip Chatterjee who is set for a Bengal return, but Saha has not asked for it as of now.”
Saha’s Uncertain Participation in Bengal Pro T20 League Amidst Controversy
Saha’s potential participation with the Siliguri Strikers in the Bengal Pro T20 league, commencing on June 11, remains uncertain, despite the conclusion of the player draft. This development arises in the aftermath of Saha’s public disagreement with the BCCI, helmed by Ganguly, following his omission from the India home Test series against Sri Lanka two years prior.
The controversy unfolded when Saha disclosed private discussions with head coach Rahul Dravid regarding retirement plans and alleged assurances from Ganguly of a secured place within the team. As a result, Saha opted to distance himself from representing Bengal after facing scepticism from Senior Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) official Debabrata Das regarding his commitment to the team.
Saha’s Departure from Bengal Team Signals Unresolved Disputes and Uncertain Future
The situation escalated with Saha’s departure from the Bengal team’s WhatsApp group and his subsequent move to join Tripura. Efforts by the then CAB president Avishek Dalmiya to reconcile Saha’s differences with Bengal were futile, as Saha remained resolute in his decision to depart.
Despite the allure of participating in the Bengal Pro T20 league, Saha’s final decision hangs in the balance, hinting at the lingering tensions. The saga underscores the complexities inherent in the relationship between players and cricketing authorities, where issues of selection, communication, and commitment can spark contentious debates and lead to drastic career decisions.
For Saha, the decision to potentially represent Siliguri Strikers carries implications beyond mere sporting ambition, as it symbolizes his ongoing navigation of professional relationships and personal aspirations within the realm of Indian cricket.
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