India's first-choice Test wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha has been asked to skip Bengal's next Ranji Trophy game against Delhi in order to stay fit for the two-match series in New Zealand, beginning February 21 in Wellington. 

Saha fractured the right finger of his right hand while playing the D/N Test against Bangladesh in Kolkata in November and subsequently underwent surgery and rehab for it. 

Read Also: Sanju Samson replaces injured Shikhar Dhawan in India’s T20I squad

"Wriddhi will not be available for Delhi match (at Eden Gardens from Sunday). I think the Board (BCCI) has said no to him," PTI quoted Bengal coach Arun Lal as saying after his team's innings victory over Hyderabad. 

"It’s great to have him but it will not make any difference. In any case, we have got a winning side. It’s okay it would have been for just one game," Arun added. 

The BCCI is wary of injuries to the Test cricketers, especially bowlers currently turning up in the Ranji Trophy; the board had last month taken out spearhead Jasprit Bumrah from a game for Gujarat on comeback feeling his body may not yet be ready for the grind of first-class cricket. 

The concerns may have only risen since experienced pacer Ishant Sharma suffered an ankle injury playing for Delhi recently. Ishant is currently being monitored and his participation for this New Zealand tour is in doubt. 

Bengal will also miss the services of captain Abhimanyu Easwaran and pacer Ishan Porel who are currently in New Zealand with the India A side. 

(Inputs from PTI)