‘Highest wicket-taker in Ranji Trophy in India but didn’t…’ – Jalaj Saxena upset after not being selected for Duleep Trophy

Certainly, one of the veterans going around in the domestic circuit, Jalaj Saxena recently failed to earn his spot in the South Zone team for the recent Duleep Trophy despite being the leading wicket-taker in the 2022-2023 Ranji Trophy season. Saxena was sublime in the recently-concluded Ranji Trophy season as the 36-year-old bowled with sheer grit and produced some match-winning performances for this Ranji side, Kerala.

Saxena looked league part from other bowlers going around in the tournament which eventually resulted in Right arm Off break bowler taking 50 wickets in just seven matches that he played in the 2022-23 edition of the Ranji Trophy. Despite producing such a tremendous performance, the veteran all-rounder from Kerala failed to make it to the South Zone squad for the upcoming Duleep Trophy.

It was to everyone’s surprise that the allrounder was not selected as throughout the tournament the Saxena did make useful contributions with the bat whenever the team needed it and hence he was expected to feature in the Duleep Trophy. Citing this, the current Kerala player took to Twitter and expressed his dissatisfaction after the squad selection.

I don’t understand the selection committee these days: Karthik

“Highest wicket-taker in Ranji trophy in India( Elite Group) didn’t get picked in Duleep trophy. Can you please check whether it has ever happened in Indian Domestic history? Just wanted to know. Not blaming anyone,” the off-spinner Twitted.

Saxena, who generally bats right-handed, has played 133 First-class matches and has gone on to score 6567 runs at a healthy average of 34.74. Meanwhile, the dashing Kerala batter has scored 14 centuries along with 32 fifties. Meanwhile, his highest score was 194. When speaking about his bowling, the off-spinner has picked up 410 wickets and also registered 28 five-wicket hauls. There have been reports that Jalaj was excluded from the squad as the selection committee were looking for including Washington Sundar in the squad.

The star Indian Wicketkeeper, Dinesh Karthik also recently took to Twitter and questioned the non-selection of Baba Indrajith. Taking to Twitter, Karthik twitted, “I DONT understand selection committee these days. BABA INDRAJITH plays for Rest of India against MP in the first week of March 2023. There has been no first-class matches post that, but he doesn’t feature for SOUTH ZONE in the Duleep trophy. Can someone tell me why??”