When we talk about wicketkeeper-batsmen in Indian cricket, one name that often gets overshadowed by louder personalities is Wriddhiman Saha. Known as one of the safest pairs of gloves in the game, Saha’s contribution to Indian cricket may not always make the headlines, but it’s priceless to those who understand the nuances of Test cricket.
In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into his career, stats, achievements, and unique role in the Indian setup. Whether you’re a die-hard cricket fan or just someone curious about the man behind the stumps, you’ll find plenty to admire about Saha.
Early Life and Personal Details
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Full Name: Wriddhiman Saha
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Date of Birth: October 24, 1984 (Age: 40 years)
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Birthplace: Shaktigarh, West Bengal
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Role: Wicketkeeper-Batsman
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Batting Style: Right-Handed
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Height: Not publicly documented
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Country: India
Saha grew up in Bengal and quickly rose through domestic cricket, representing Bengal in the Ranji Trophy. His calm presence behind the stumps and his compact batting style earned him a place in the national team.
The Role of Wriddhiman Saha: More Than Just a Wicketkeeper
While Saha has had stiff competition throughout his career—competing with MS Dhoni in his early days and later with Rishabh Pant—he carved out his own legacy. Coaches and captains often describe him as a “wicketkeeper’s wicketkeeper” — someone technically flawless behind the stumps.
He’s not just about saving runs either. Saha has delivered some crucial batting performances when India needed stability.
Wriddhiman Saha’s International Career
Test Career Stats
Saha made his Test debut against South Africa in 2010. Though his batting numbers might not look flashy at first glance, his consistency as a wicketkeeper made him a regular in the longer format.
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Matches: 40
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Innings: 56
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Runs: 1353
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Highest Score: 117
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Average: 29.41
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Strike Rate: 45.51
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Fifties: 6
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Hundreds: 3
Saha’s most memorable innings came against West Indies in 2016 when he scored back-to-back centuries, proving his worth as a middle-order batsman.
ODI Career Stats
Saha’s ODI journey was short-lived, partly because India had Dhoni in the squad during his prime years.
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Matches: 9
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Innings: 5
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Runs: 41
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Highest Score: 16
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Average: 13.67
While his ODI numbers don’t reflect his true talent, it’s worth remembering that opportunities were limited in the 50-over format.
T20I Career Stats
Surprisingly, Saha has never played an international T20I match for India. This is rare for a modern cricketer, but again, India had plenty of choices in that department during his peak years.
IPL Career Stats
The Indian Premier League (IPL) has been a significant part of Saha’s career. Known for his attacking batting, he has often played the role of a reliable opener.
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Matches: 170
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Innings: 145
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Runs: 2934
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Highest Score: 115
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Average: 24.25
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Strike Rate: 127.57
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Fifties: 13
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Hundreds: 1
Fun fact: Wriddhiman Saha is the first player to score a century in an IPL final. He achieved this feat while playing for Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) in 2014 against Kolkata Knight Riders.
Saha’s Career Timeline: Key Debuts and Last Matches
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Test Debut: vs South Africa, Feb 06, 2010 (Nagpur)
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Last Test: vs New Zealand, Dec 03, 2021 (Mumbai)
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ODI Debut: vs New Zealand, Nov 28, 2010 (Guwahati)
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Last ODI: vs Sri Lanka, Nov 09, 2014 (Hyderabad)
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IPL Debut: vs RCB, Apr 18, 2008 (Bengaluru)
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Last IPL Match: vs RCB, May 04, 2024 (Bengaluru)
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Champions League Debut: vs Mumbai Indians, Sep 24, 2011
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Last CL Match: vs Chennai Super Kings, Oct 02, 2014
Why Wriddhiman Saha Stands Out
Even though he didn’t pile up mountains of runs like Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma, Saha’s true value lies elsewhere:
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Glovework Mastery: His lightning-quick reflexes and impeccable technique make him one of the best wicketkeepers India has ever produced.
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Consistency Under Pressure: Time and again, Saha has stood tall during India’s batting collapses, adding stability in the middle order.
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Longevity: Playing professional cricket across formats for more than 15 years is an achievement in itself.
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Team Player: Always ready to step aside when the team required, Saha’s humility and professionalism have won him respect.
Iconic Moments in Wriddhiman Saha’s Career
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2014 IPL Final Century: His unbeaten 115 against KKR remains one of the greatest knocks in IPL history.
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Back-to-Back Test Hundreds (2016): Proved his batting credentials in the longer format.
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Unseen Contributions: Countless sharp stumpings, breathtaking catches, and saved byes that never show up in the scorecard but win matches.
Wriddhiman Saha vs Other Indian Wicketkeepers
It’s hard not to compare Saha with the likes of MS Dhoni and Rishabh Pant. While Dhoni was the captain cool and Pant is the explosive youngster, Saha represents the technical perfectionist — less glamorous but highly reliable.
Many cricket experts believe that if judged purely on wicketkeeping skills, Saha ranks at the very top.
Also Read : Quinton de Kock Profile – Age, Career Info & Stats
Wriddhiman Saha in IPL 2024 and Beyond
Even at the age of 40, Saha continues to play in the IPL, most recently turning out for Gujarat Titans. His experience as an opener has been invaluable to the team, providing solid starts alongside young talents.
His IPL journey shows that age is just a number when skill and fitness are intact.
Lessons from Wriddhiman Saha’s Career
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Patience pays off: Despite limited chances in ODIs and T20Is, Saha remained dedicated.
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Work ethic matters: His fitness and sharp reflexes are results of years of hard work.
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Be a team man: Sometimes, it’s not about personal glory but about doing the job your team needs.
Conclusion
Wriddhiman Saha’s career is proof that cricket isn’t only about sixes, centuries, and records. It’s also about the unseen heroes—the players who do the hard yards quietly, without always grabbing the limelight.
For fans, he remains India’s silent guardian behind the stumps and one of the finest wicketkeepers the country has ever produced. His story teaches us that skill, dedication, and humility are just as important as fame and numbers.
Whether it’s his sharp glove work in Tests, his memorable IPL century, or his never-give-up attitude, Wriddhiman Saha has carved a unique place in cricketing history.
