'Khudka spot to fix krle pehle bhai' - Fans react as Wriddhiman Saha decides not to play Duleep Trophy to let young players have their chance

Abhimanyu Easwaran, a seasoned Bengal opener, has been given the task of captaining the East Zone team in the forthcoming Duleep Trophy 2023, which gets underway on June 28 in Bengaluru. Shahbaz Nadeem, a left-arm spinner, will assist him in that role. But several people are puzzled by the famed Wriddhiman Saha's exclusion from the East Zone team.

Saha was chosen to be a part of the Duleep Trophy 2023 team when Ishan Kishan, a young wicketkeeper-batsman, withdrew from the competition. Jayanta Dey, a Tripura selector, voiced his wish to include Saha and even made contact with the seasoned athlete. Surprisingly, the seasoned stumper turned down the chance to represent the East Zone on the Duleep Trophy 2023 team.

‘Duleep Trophy is for India hopefuls’ – Wriddhiman Saha to Jayanta Dey

Dey was informed by Saha that players wishing to play for India are the target audience for the Duleep Trophy. The 38-year-old said in a selfless act of sportsmanship 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. The selectors were forced to make a different decision and decided on Abhishek Porel as a result.

"To be fair to Wriddhiman, he said that Duleep Trophy is for India hopefuls. If I am never going to play for India, then 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.

Riyan Parag, an all-rounder for Assam, has surprisingly earned a spot in the 15-person East Zone squad. The 21-year-old has managed to secure a place in the East Zone team despite having a disappointing season with the Rajasthan Royals in the just-finished IPL 2023.

Mukesh Kumar, a speedster, and Shahbaz Ahmed, an all-rounder, give the team more diversity and depth. Ishan Porel, a promising fast bowler from Bengal, and Anukul Roy, a spinner, have both been recognised for their steady play and included in the squad.

Here’s how fans reacted:

Khudka spot to fix krle pehle bhai

— Nekron (@Anky002500) June 14, 2023

Official father of MSD 🐐

— DANNY_X7 (@Mooh_me_Lelo) June 14, 2023

That’s a Sporty compassionate decision 👍👍👏👏

— Vidya (@Vidya269049464) June 14, 2023

Hey king you drop your 👑

— Manoj Verma (@ManojVerma420) June 15, 2023

Imagine if Dhoni has did that work. We would have seen one youngster Wicketkeeper

— M.A.Asif (@iamasif0135) June 14, 2023

@ImRo45 need to learn this from saha

As u r not going to play till WTC final in next term

Then whats the point to play in test matches

Better focus on ODI wc

— Singh (@NiteshsinGhdi) June 14, 2023

Dhoni should learn morality from him

— Abhilash (@Abhilas17622660) June 15, 2023

Doesn't really makes sense.....it looks like he is only making statement to bcci that he deserves place in test cricket more than bharat and kishan

— RAJA SEKHAR REDDY (@Alwaysursreddy) June 15, 2023