Gujarat Titans (GT) opener Wriddhiman Saha on Monday (May 23) called the Motera Stadium his new “home ground” even though he has played all his life at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
Saha will be seen in action at the Eden Gardens on Tuesday (May 24) during Qualifier 1 of IPL 2022 between GT and RR.
After a run-in with the establishment, the 37-year-old is seeking an exit from Bengal domestic cricket after a CAB official questioned his commitment for the state Ranji team.
“Here, I’m representing Gujarat so my home ground is Motera Stadium, I believe in that. Since I’m no longer with KKR, the Eden is not my home,” Saha said in a virtual media interaction ahead of GT’s clash against RR.
Asked whether he would be seen playing for Bengal at the Eden again, the veteran campaigner said: “I’m not able to answer the second part of your question. I might have played a lot of games here in the past but I’m here to play an away game.”
Wriddhiman Saha had a tussle with the establishment of Cricket Association of Bengal after they named him for the Ranji Trophy 2022 quarter-final against Jharkhand without his approval.
Saha was upset that CAB assistant secretary Debabrata Das questioned his commitment after he opted out of the Ranji league stage.
The veteran stumper is annoyed that his state association has not supported him during his 'tough times'. He has reportedly sought a no-objection certificate (NOC) from CAB to quit Bengal.
Earlier this year, Saha was axed from the Indian Test side as the selectors and team management felt it was the right time to try out a new keeper.
Saha said he does not want to think much about Team India selection anymore and his repeated snubs.
"It's always team first for me and not individual performance. I don't think about (India team) selection as we are here to play the Qualifier One. All our focus is on the match," he said.
"My main target always is to contribute in batting, keeping in every match that I play in and take the team over the line. That's my first priority and it's always a bonus to reach a personal milestone -- fifty or 100."
Wriddhiman Saha is having a great time with the bat in the ongoing IPL with 312 runs from 9 matches, including three half-centuries.
Talking about his IPL performance, Saha said he’s relishing batting at the top.
“The role given to me here suits me the best. I love to go all out, and take some risks in the first six overs,” he said.
“I’ve played in the qualifier, IPL final in the past. I’m aware of the environment, but it’s just another match for us. Won’t do anything extra, that’s our planning,” he concluded.
(With PTI inputs)
