Reports | Wriddhiman Saha to play for Bengal in Ranji Trophy finals

India’s number one wicket-keeper Saha has recovered from surgery on his right ring finger which he had sustained during the historic Day/Night Eden Test against Bangladesh. However, he was not included in the playing XI in India’s recent 0-2 debacle in New Zealand. The Indian management persisted with the left-handed keeper-batsman Rishabh Pant over the experienced Saha, for a batting edge. Following India's loss, Saha is now free to play in the Ranji Trophy final for Bengal, after their defeated Karnataka in the semi-finals. 

Saha last played for Bengal in the 2017-18 Ranji season where he averaged 38.33 from four matches. However, Saha has been included in Bengal’s squad for their Ranji Trophy final which is scheduled on March 9 2020. The report added that the Indian keeper will replace the opener, Abhishek Raman in the playing XI in the finals of the long-domestic season. 

The selectors also named uncapped batsman Sudip Gharami with injured Koushik Ghosh and youngster Golam Mustafa being the only two omissions from the 16-member squad, which beat Karnataka in the semi-final.

Bengal pace attack brilliantly complemented Anustup Majumdar’s unbeaten 149 to thrash a star-studded Karnataka by 174 runs inside four days and make their first Ranji Trophy final in 13 years. Bengal will face the winners of the other semi-final between Saurashtra and Gujarat in an away match.