Former Indian selectors' surprise at Jalaj Saxena's absence from the national team
The Buzz (https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricket-blogs/the-buzz-454)
Jalaj Saxena's move to Maharashtra at the start of this season
When Jalaj Saxena took to the crease, the two commentators, Salil Ankola and Chetan Sharma, both former India players and national selectors, were quick to comment on his absence from the national team. Ankola remarked that it was "very surprising" that Saxena had never played for India, to which Chetan, a former chairman, responded with a laugh, "Salil, you used one word 'very surprising', but we were both selectors." Ankola added, 'And you were the chairman!' Chetan finished with a playful jab, "Fingers must've been raised at us as well."
The conversation sparked a debate on social media, as it was revealed that Ankola and Chetan, in their roles as selectors, had overseen selection windows spanning nearly four years between 2020 and 2024, a period during which Saxena continued to excel in domestic cricket without being called up to the national team.
Jalaj Saxena's domestic stats are impressive, with no one having taken more Ranji Trophy wickets since his first-class debut in December 2005. Last season, he became the first cricketer to score 6000 runs and take 400 wickets in the tournament's history. Despite his success, Saxena has not been selected for the national team, and in an interview, he expressed his acceptance of this fate, stating, 'I've made peace with not representing India. My heart and emotions are with first-class cricket.'
The story of Jalaj Saxena highlights the enduring talent in Indian cricket, as he continues to perform at a high level long after his potential national team career seemed to have passed him by.
