Wriddhiman Saha is waiting for an opportune moment to come up with a “fitting” response following his decision to skip this season’s Ranji Trophy for Bengal stating personal reasons.

The wicketkeeper-batsman, who has represented India in 40 Tests and nine ODIs, is learnt to have been upset with the attitude of the national selectors and the Indian team management, which is believed to be one of the reasons behind his decision to skip the Ranji Trophy.

Saha, however, tried to clear the air to a certain extent. “I’ve always been someone who follows the protocol, and I’ll always go by that.

“Till the (Indian) squad (for the two-Test series versus Sri Lanka) is announced, I will refrain from saying anything. Because, that’s what I’ve been doing throughout.

“Besides, the people who are spreading news and making claims about my future should be able to say it better,” Saha told The Telegraph late on Wednesday evening.

Saha cut his statement short as he wants not to make the scenario more complex or invite unwanted controversy.

Whispers over whether he would quit international cricket are still on, but Saha categorically mentioned that retirement would be his call. “At present, I’m just not thinking of retirement. It’s completely my decision as to how long I’ll continue and when I’ll hang up my boots,” Saha retorted.

The 37-year-old’s stance aside, his decision to not turn up for Ranji has left the national cricket fraternity bemused. Some are of the opinion that if the likes of the under-pressure Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane can play the Ranji matches for their respective state teams, Saha could have done the same.

It would have been a good enough opportunity for Saha to score some runs for Bengal, make valuable contributions and prove a point to national selectors as well as the team management.

Saha, though, also has a point to make. “I’ve just told the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) that I will not be playing Ranji this season due to personal reasons. I’ve never said that I’ll not be available for next season’s Ranji,” he stated.

Team Bengal, on their part, are quite disappointed with Saha’s unavailability, although head coach Arun Lal insisted that the former’s decision must be respected. “After Wriddhi returned from South Africa, he had told me that it would be the right time to include more youngsters in the squad and present them with opportunities.

“But we still consider Wriddhi to be a valuable contributor for our team and his experience always plays an important part,” head coach Arun Lal said.

“But having said that, when he has his personal reasons to not play the tournament, that has to be respected. Whatever decision Wriddhi takes about himself, be it about his future as well, I think we need to respect it,” Lal added.