Ranji Trophy 2024-25: Wriddhiman Saha receives guard of honour, gets felicitated by CAB in farewell match

Ranji Trophy 2024-25: Wriddhiman Saha receives guard of honour, gets felicitated by CAB in farewell match (Source: Cricket Association Of Bengal/Instagram)

Veteran Indian wicketkeeper-batter Wriddhiman Saha received an emotional farewell as he played his final professional match for Bengal against Punjab at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.

The 40-year-old, who had earlier announced his retirement from all forms of cricket, was honoured with a guard of honor by his teammates, match officials, and even the opposition players, celebrating his illustrious career in domestic and international cricket. Saha had decided to retire before the start of the season, but a conversation with former India captain Sourav Ganguly and his wife, Romi, made him change his mind.

As the wicketkeeper-batter stepped onto the field for his final match, his Bengal teammates lined up to give him a guard of honor, with Punjab players and umpires also joining in. The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) also felicitated Saha before the start of play, presenting him with a shawl, a bouquet, and a jersey signed by his teammates which was presented to him by the President of the Cricket Association of Bengal, Snehasish Ganguly. He also cut a cake with the umpires to celebrate the occasion.

Also Read: ‘Cherishing every moment, every shot, every memory’ – Wriddhiman Saha pens emotional post ahead of swansong

Wriddhiman Saha played 40 Test matches for India

Despite the grand farewell, Saha had an unfortunate outing with the bat in the first innings, being dismissed for a seven-ball duck by Punjab’s pacer Gurnoor Brar. He also entered the list of Bengal greats who ended their careers on a duck, alongside Pankaj Roy (First-Class), Sourav Ganguly (Test), and Jhulan Goswami (ODI), though Saha still has a second innings left to redeem himself.

However, in 141 matches, he scored 7,169 runs at an average of 48.68, including 14 centuries and 44 fifties. His contributions behind the stumps were equally impressive, as he was widely regarded as one of India’s finest wicketkeepers.

The right-hand batter’s international career spanned 40 Test matches, in which he scored 1,353 runs at an average of 29.41. He also featured in nine ODIs for India. His last appearance for the national team came in December 2021 against New Zealand in Mumbai.

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