After being snubbed, Jalaj Saxena questions selection process for Duleep Trophy

All-rounder Jalaj Saxena has picked up 410 wickets in 133 first-class games.

Ranji Trophy’s leading wicket-taker Jalaj Saxena has been snubbed in Duleep Trophy tournament. Despite being a consistent performer in the Indian domestic circuit Jalaj has been overlooked for the Indian domestic season’s opening tournament. Jalaj Saxena picked up 50 in 7 games for his new state Kerala, including one spell of 8/36 against Services. He picked up 5 wickets in an innings 6 times out of 13 innings he bowled in the Ranji Trophy 2022-23 season. With all the performances backing up Jalaj didn’t find his place in the South Zone team for the Duleep Trophy scheduled to start from 28th June. 

36 years old All-round Jalaj vented his anger on the social media platform Twitter. Jalaj tweeted, “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”.

Jalaj Saxena is playing for Kerala for the last 7 years since he joined the Kerala State Association in Ranji Trophy in 2016 from Madhya Pradesh. Saxena started his career with Madhya Pradesh in 2005 as a 19-year-old. In his 18 years long domestic career, Jalaj has been a consistent performer as an all-rounder but failed to earn the International call-up. 

Jalaj has played 133 First class games for Madhya Pradesh and Kerala and has picked up 410 wickets including 28 times 5-wicket hauls. He has also scored 6567 runs in 211 innings at an average of 34.74 and smashed 14 centuries. Jalaj has a decent record in limited overs format as well. His performance has made him question the selection process for the Duleep Trophy. The tournament will start on 28th June at Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore. Alur’s KSCS Stadium will also be hosting two games of the Duleep Trophy.