The veteran all-rounder was surprised to find out that Saxena was not even considered for the India A team, which is currently facing Australia A in Melbourne.
Harbhajan Singh file photo
Former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh expresses concern over relevance of Ranji Trophy, questioning why players like Jarraj Saxena failed to make it to India despite excelling in domestic tournaments for nearly two decades Team. The veteran all-rounder was surprised to find out that Saxena was not even considered for the India A team, which is currently facing Australia A in Melbourne.
Harbhajan’s comments were prompted by a tweet by journalist Vijay Lokapally, which highlighted Saxena’s extraordinary achievement of becoming the only player in Ranji Trophy history to take 400 wickets and score 6,000 runs in a span of decades players.
The 37-year-old Saxena has performed well in the domestic team and is currently representing the Kerala team. He recently scored 84 points against Bangladesh. Despite Saxena’s impressive record, he has been excluded from the higher levels of Indian cricket, raising questions about the selection process and the opportunities available to a talented player like him.
“@jalajsaxena33 took 400 wickets and 6000 runs in Ranji Trophy. First person to achieve this feat in Indian National Championship,” Lokapally tweeted.
400 wickets and 6000 runs. @jalajsaxena33 In the Ranji Trophy. The first person to achieve this feat at the Indian National Championships. But still not enough to play for Team India. It’s hard to understand. Champion and consistent performer. What else should he do?
Pictured: Sports stars.. pic.twitter.com/bnBArC3ZM9— Vijay Lokapally (@vijaylokapally) November 7, 2024
“Agree with you. At least India A should consider him. People pick him from the IPL,” Harbhajan replied.
Agree with you. At least India A should consider him. People are being picked out of the IPL. https://t.co/ejMzYxj5jS
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) November 8, 2024
In 2005, Saxena made his debut for Madhya Pradesh in a Ranji Trophy match against Kerala. Although his debut performance was not particularly spectacular, he has since amassed an impressive record of 6795 runs in 143 matches, including 14 centuries.
Apart from his outstanding batting prowess, Saxena also proved to be a formidable bowler, taking 452 wickets in these matches with an impressive economy rate of 2.74. His all-round skills attracted attention and he played one game for Kings XI Punjab and three games for Mumbai Indians during the Champions League.
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