Jalaj Saxena asks questions on not getting picked for Duleep Trophy despite being highest wicket-taker

In a surprising turn of events, Jalaj Saxena, one of the most consistent performers in domestic cricket, has raised questions about his exclusion from the Duleep Trophy despite finishing as the highest wicket-taker in the Ranji Trophy 2022-23 season. The talented all-rounder, known for his exceptional skills with both bat and ball, has expressed his disappointment and frustration over the snub.

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Jalaj Saxena has been one of the most underrated all-rounders going around in India's domestic circuit. Born in Madhya Pradesh, the talented spin bowling all-rounder is a veteran of over 130 first-class games. He has represented Madhya Pradesh and now Kerala in Ranji Trophy.

Saxena has taken 410 wickets at an impressive average of 25.97. He also took 28 fifers and 7 ten-wicket hauls in a career spanning over 17 years. The 36-year-old has time and again shown his utility as a complete package. As a batter, he has smashed 14 centuries. Saxena scored 6567 runs in the 133 games he has played at an average of 34.74 in his first-class career.

In the ongoing edition of India's premier red-ball tournament, Jalaj Saxena has proved yet again that he is a cut above the rest when it comes to the domestic circuit. Representing Kerala for the 7th season (since 2016) in his Ranji career, Saxena refuses to slow down even a bit with ball in hand as he ended the 2022-23 league stage as the leading wicket-taker across sides. The off-spinner has taken 50 wickets at an average of 19.26 with six 5-wicket hauls and two 10-wicket hauls.

In the last league match for Kerala, Jalaj Saxena picked yet another fifer against Puducherry. But this was not enough to make his team progress to the last eight of Ranji Trophy 2022-23. This was his 6th fifer this season and the three matches where Kerala won, his performances stood out in helping the team win.

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This is not the first season that the veteran offie is shining brightly. In the Covid-affected 2022 season, Jalaj Saxena just played three games. He picked 13 wickets at an average of less than 20. It was the 2018-19 season that saw him pick 28 wickets at an average of 21.89 from 9 games. Kerala reached their first ever semi-final in Ranji Trophy that year, beating Gujarat in the quarter-final. In the 2017-18 season, he amassed 522 runs. Saxena was also the second-highest run-scorer for Kerala after Sanju Samson who scored 627 runs. To add to his runs, Jalaj was the leading wicket-taker across sides as he took 44 wickets as well in a season where Kerala made it to the quarter-finals. This shows the value he has brought to the Kerala side since being part of the team from 2016.

Despite being a consistent performer in domestic cricket, Saxena's exclusion from the tournament raises serious questions about the selection process and the criteria used to pick players.