Wriddhiman Saha eyeing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy for comeback

The cricketing world has changed since wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha last played for India in a Test series in South Africa. He was ruled out of the series with an injury and hasn’t played in a competitive game since the second qualifier of Indian Premier League 2018 in May. However, the 34-year-old cricketer’s fans have found hope as he is eyeing a return to competitive cricket soon.

Saha, who has played 32 Tests and nine ODIs, is likely to play for Bengal in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy tournament starting later this month and he is hopeful of recovering in time to make a full-fledged return to the game he loves so much. The T20 tournament will also determine Saha’s condition ahead of the Indian Premier League 2019 set to begin next month.

Saha is yet to return to shape completely but he is eager to make a comeback after having missed the game for almost a year now. He has also expressed interest in playing club cricket if the Cricket Association of Bengal allows him.

“I’m very close to 100 per cent. I will play the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. I’m returning to Kolkata after February 15 and will join the Bengal team’s conditioning camp on February 16 or 17,” Saha was quoted as saying by The Indian Express. “There’s no time to play a club match (before the national T20). If the CAB asks me to play a club game before playing for Bengal, I will do that.”

Rishabh Pant’s grand arrival might have dented Saha’s national return

Saha was seen as a long-term successor to Mahendra Singh Dhoni in the long format but his stint with injuries has seen him falling behind in the race. The rise of 21-year-old Rishabh Pant in Tests will make it difficult for the Bengal keeper to make a national return now.

Bengal’s coach-cum-mentor Arun Lal also expressed his delight over the prospects of Saha’s return. He said the team is hopeful to see the keeper-batsman recovering in quick time and join domestic cricket.

“We are aware of that (Saha’s lack of game time). But he is such a big cricketer, we are hoping that he will be able to make the adjustments very quickly,” Lal remarked.

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