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Ishan Kishan was the first choice for the East Zone squad in the Duleep Trophy 2023, but the youngster withdrew from the selection. After this, Wriddhiman Saha was contacted by the selectors, asking him to keep the wickets for East Zone in the tournament. However, Saha also denied the offer, and the reason conveyed the class of the Gujarat Titans wicketkeeper-batter.
Saha has been out of the Indian team since the New Zealand Test series, which took place at home in December 2021. It was the same series in which Kiwi spinner Ajaz Patel did the impossible by picking all 10 wickets in an inning. Post this series, the selection committee informed Wriddhiman Saha that they have decided to look past him.
Also read: Ishan Kishan pulls out of Duleep Trophy ahead of West Indies tour
Tripura selector Jayanta Dey was informed by Saha that players who can play for India are the main requirements for the Duleep Trophy. The 38-year-old said in a selfless act that it would be unjust for him to take up a position that could otherwise be taken by a talented young player if he was not going to play for India. As a result, the selectors were forced to make a different decision and chose Abhishek Porel, who was the third candidate for the position.
"To be fair to Wriddhiman, he said that the Duleep Trophy is for India hopefuls. If I am never going to play for India, then it doesn't make sense in preventing a youngster from making a case. Hence, we selected Abhishek Porel, who was the third choice," said Dey as quoted by News18.
Saha had a decent IPL season with the Gujarat Titans as he scored 371 runs in 17 games at a strike rate of 129 and an average of 23.19. This includes a superb fifty which he scored in the IPL finals against Chennai Super Kings.
