Wriddhiman Saha, an Indian wicket-keeper batter announced his retirement from all forms of cricket after this season’s Ranji Trophy. The 40-year-old, who has been admired for his skills behind the stumps and his inputs for the Indian team during crucial matches, made his announcement on social media Sunday. In his message, Saha said that he was really grateful for this “cherished journey in cricket” and he wanted to make this final season with Bengal a special one.

“After a cherished journey in cricket, this season will be my last. I’m honored to represent Bengal one final time, playing only in the Ranji Trophy before I retire. Let’s make this season one to remember!“

Saha has played 40 Test matches for India, scoring 1,353 runs, and had three centuries. After MS Dhoni’s retirement from Test cricket, Saha emerged as the first-choice wicketkeeper-batsman of the national team. He ranks behind Dhoni and Rishabh Pant as the Indian wicket-keeper to have made the most Test centuries. Yet, his last international match goes back to 2021 against New Zealand. It was pretty commendable for him at times, but edged out when new management under head coach Rahul Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma decided to bring in KS Bharat as the backup to Pant.

While Saha will continue to be in the Ranji Trophy for Bengal, he is not going to play for the IPL next season. He was not retained by the Gujarat Titans and is not registered for the next mega auction, thereby calling time on his franchise career. A seasoned campaigner in the Indian Premier League, Saha had a presence in every edition, starting from the inaugural year itself in 2008; he represented teams including the Kolkata Knight Riders, the Chennai Super Kings, and the Punjab Kings-Sunrisers Hyderabad for six years before joining his third team, the Gujarat Titans.