Wriddhiman Saha misses Ranji Trophy semi-final due to fever

Wriddhiman Saha pulled out of the Ranji Trophy semi-final at the last minute. The Indian wicketkeeper was supposed to feature in Bengal’s clash against Delhi. However, an illness meant that Saha had to sit out of the all-important match. It was surely a huge blow for Bengal.

While Saha had been training with the team on Saturday, he supposedly fell sick late in the night. Since he was not in good shape, the team management didn’t want to take a chance. Also, with the South Africa tour round the corner, it would’ve been a risk. Shreevats Goswami donned the wicketkeeping gloves in his absence.

Conveyed to the team early morning

A member of the support staff conveyed that Saha complained of fever and severe body ache ahead in the morning. “In the early morning, he told the team physio that he was running temperature and had severe body ache. Since he was not feeling well, we did not take a chance,” he was quoted as saying by the PTI.

Despite not playing the game, Saha was present in the Bengal dressing room. When asked if he was going to return home, the 33-year-old wasn’t sure about the same. “I have not decided yet. Let’s see what happens,” he stated.

With the South African tour just a couple of weeks away, Saha would be looking forward to recovering soon. He has been India’s first choice wicketkeeper ever since the retirement of MS Dhoni from the Test format. While Parthiv Patel too has been picked up in the South African squad, there’s no doubt Saha would be the preferred one.

Earlier, CAB (Cricket Association Of Bengal) President Sourav Ganguly sent a request to BCCI president Amitabh Chaudhary. It was to allow the Bengal players Wriddhiman Saha and Mohammed Shami to be released for the semi-finals clash.

The board even allowed Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav to represent their respective teams. While Ishant didn’t play due to a sore ankle, Yadav was seen in action as he even got a wicket.