Kerala all-rounder Jalaj Saxena, who is silently playing professional cricket since 2005, has recently created a unique record in Indian cricket history.
During recently concluded Duleep Trophy 2019 match between India Red and India Blue, the off-spinner Jalaj Saxena completed his 300 first-class wickets. Earlier, last February, he completed his 6,000 first-class runs.
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Jalaj Saxena is now the only uncapped Indian player to achieve the unique double feat in the first-class career – scoring 6,000+ runs and also taking 300+ wickets. Though 18 other Indian cricketers have achieved this feat before Saxena, he is the only uncapped Indian cricketer.
Saxena was even unaware of his unique record. Though the India Blue all-rounder scored a duck in the latest Duleep Trophy game, he took seven wickets (3/57 & 4/105) in that game.
He recently told Sportstar, “I knew I completed 300 wickets but I did not know that I am the only uncapped player among the legends. I feel honoured to learn that I am in the same list with Polly Umrigar, Lala Amarnath, Kapil Dev.”
Indore-born Jalaj Saxena started his domestic career for Madhya Pradesh in December 2005. He served Madhya Pradesh for a long time till 2016. In the same year, the all-rounder moved to Kerala, and since then, he is serving for them.
Jalaj Saxena has achieved some great records
Saxena has played 113 first-class matches, 85 List A games and 48 T20s. The right-handed batsman has scored 6,044 first-class runs, 1,736 List A runs and 585 T20 runs. Also, the off-spinner has taken 305 first-class wickets, 96 List A wickets and 41 T20 wickets.
Apart from the recent unique records, Jalaj Saxena has also managed to create a few other domestic records. In November 2015, during the match against Railways, Saxena managed the incredible match bowling figures of 16/154. It is the second-best bowling figures in a Ranji Trophy match history which Saxena achieved playing for Madhya Pradesh.
Also, the Kerala off-spinner was the leading wicket-taker in the Ranji Trophy 2017/18. He managed to pick up 44 wickets in that tournament in 14 innings (seven matches).
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Though the national selectors haven’t recognised him yet, the 32-year-old still wants to wear the national team’s jersey.
Talking about missing out his non-selection for the national team, Saxena added, “I don’t think it is my area. It is the selector’s job. From my part, I am putting in my 100 per cent and trying my best. Selection is not in my hands. I am not thinking about it. I am very motivated to play for India though I am 32.”
In Indian Premier League (IPL) history, he spent with Mumbai Indians (MI), Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Delhi Capitals (DC) but hasn’t made his IPL debut yet.