Kerala all-rounder Jalaj Saxena has been added to India A’s squad for the first unofficial Test against South Africa A, that starts tomorrow. He has come in as a cover for Karnataka’s all-rounder Krishnappa Gowtham, who is not well. Should Gowtham miss the match, Saxena will be playing in his place.
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Jalaj Saxena, one of the consistent all-rounders in domestic cricket, was ignored for a place in the squad for both the matches. He played for India Blue in Duleep Trophy but there was no place for him in India A squad.
He last played for India A in the home series against England Lions earlier this year. A domestic cricket veteran, Saxena has played 113 first-class matches in which he has scored 6044 runs and has scalped 305 wickets, thus showing his mettle as a complete all-rounder.
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Although his achievements have not been enough to impress the current selection committee. In Ranji Trophy 2018/19, Saxena again hogged the limelight as he scored 551 runs and scalped 28 wickets.
He was ignored for a place in India A squad for the tour of West Indies a couple of months back.
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For now, Saxena is unlikely to get a national call-up due to presence of three frontline spinners but should he continue to do well, it will be difficult for selectors to ignore the star all-rounder.
Former India U-19 vice-captain Shubman Gill will be leading India A squad in the first unofficial Test match that consists likes of Shardul Thakur, Vijay Shankar, KS Bharat and others. Wriddhiman Saha will take over the captaincy from Gill for the second unofficial Test. Though Gill will play both the matches. Gowtham is also a part of both the unofficial Tests.
The first four-day game will be played in Thiruvananthapuram from tomorrow. The second unofficial Test will be played in Mysore from September 17.