Budding ex-India wicket-keeper batsman Wriddhiman Saha, who had retired in January 2025 after featuring in a valedictory Ranji Trophy match for Bengal, will be starting a new innings in life. Not even six months retired, the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) is reportedly looking to get Saha back—this time as Bengal U‑23 team head coach.
Saha’s farewell to cricket was an emotional and tearful occasion. During his final Ranji match against Punjab at Eden Gardens in late January, Saha received an emotional guard of honour from players, opposition players, and officials. He was greeted by CAB president Snehasish Ganguly and presented with a signed jersey and flowers, the culmination of a 28‑year first-class career.
Despite having an IPL coaching opportunity extended to him, Saha did not feel mentally prepared and declined it, preferring to advance to coaching in stages rather than taking on high-profile jobs directly. The CAB is now contemplating sending him out for the U‑23 coach position. Laxmi Ratan Shukla is likely to stay at the top of Bengal’s senior team, with Saurashis Lahiri staying in command of the U‑19 team.
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“His first-class cricket playing experience in the long term will only serve to help the Gen-Next of Bengal cricket. Wriddhi already has an academy chain and has been a hands-on junior coach,” said a CAB source, alluding to Saha’s coaching passion and mentorship readiness.
The CAB is reportedly scheduled to make the coaching appointments next week, and Saha is reportedly in line to take the U-23 role. His experience and standing as one of India’s most reliable wicketkeepers—40 tests, famously quick behind the wickets, and more than 1,350 Test runs—make him well‑placed to develop new talent.
Former India wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha is set to begin his coaching journey with the Bengal U-23 team.https://t.co/pSfts17ggy
— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) July 17, 2025
In his overseas career from 2010 to 2021, Saha was an established national wicket-keeper behind the wickets after MS Dhoni’s retirement, but was subsequently replaced by Rishabh Pant. He also played domestic cricket, moving temporarily to Tripura before rejoining Bengal late in 2024.
His resume also boasts IPL success; he was the first to score an IPL final hundred for Kings XI Punjab in 2014 and subsequently contributed significantly to Gujarat Titans, a member of their 2022-23 title-winning roster.
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Saha’s potential promotion to Bengal U-23 coach is a shrewd move from being a top-level player to a development-focused coaching role. His rich tactical experience, unblemished reputation, and grassroots-level coaching experience—his own chain of cricket centres being one such example—are pointers that he would be a game-changer for Bengal’s junior cricket pipeline.
If he is chosen, Saha will be a highly sought-after player by IPL franchises for specialist coaching roles or even by the BCCI Centre of Excellence, where his experience would prove invaluable. In the meantime, CAB’s demonstration of faith in him is a measure of respect for his career and faith in his ability to mould Bengal’s next generation of cricketers.
