Harbhajan Singh criticised the India selectors, questioning whether the Ranji Trophy has become irrelevant. He pointed out that Jalaj Saxena, despite having played for 19 years in the domestic tournament, has failed to break into the Indian team. Saxena's exclusion is even more surprising given his remarkable domestic record. Harbhajan also noted that the veteran all-rounder was not even selected for the India A team, which is currently struggling against Australia A in Melbourne.
Harbhajan Singh lashes out at Indian selectors for not paying heed to Jalaj Saxena
The former cricketer's comments were triggered by a tweet from journalist Vijay Lokapally. Lokapally highlighted Saxena's unique achievement of being the only player in Ranji Trophy history to have accumulated over 400 wickets and 6,000 runs, a rare feat that underscores his consistency and skill over the decades.
Jalaj Saxena, a 37-year-old seasoned cricketer, has consistently impressed in domestic cricket. He is currently representing Kerala and recently showcased his talent by scoring a commendable 84 runs against Bengal.
"400 wickets and 6000 runs for @jalajsaxena33 in the Ranji Trophy. The first man to achieve the feat in India's national tournament," the journalist wrote on X.
Jalaj Saxena embarked on his first-class cricket journey in 2005, representing Madhya Pradesh in a Ranji Trophy match against Kerala. While his debut performance wasn't noteworthy, he has since established himself as a prolific all-rounder. With 6795 runs from 143 first-class matches, including 14 centuries, Saxena has consistently delivered with the bat. His bowling prowess is equally impressive, having claimed 452 wickets at an exceptional economy rate of 2.74. Saxena's Indian Premier League (IPL) experience includes a brief stint with the Punjab Kings and three matches for the Mumbai Indians in the Champions League.
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