NEW DELHI:
Jalaj Saxena
, Kerala all-rounder, joined an illustrious club alongside
Madan Lal
and
Vinoo Mankad
on Monday, becoming only the third player in domestic cricket history to achieve the rare double of 9000 runs and 600 wickets during a
Ranji Trophy
match against Uttar Pradesh.
In the Ranji Trophy Group B encounter against Uttar Pradesh, which finished on Monday in Alappuzha, Saxena grabbed three wickets for 152 runs in two innings, bringing his total for First-class, List A, and T20s to 602.
In 308 appearances across three formats, the 37-year-old has scored 6574 runs in First Class, 2035 runs in List A, and 661 runs in 70 T20 matches, for a total of 9,270 runs.
Saxena began his career in Madhya Pradesh in 2005, then moved to Delhi before settling in Kerala in 2016.
Despite his constantly outstanding domestic achievements, Jalaj's desire for an international cap was unfulfilled. He has appeared in 308 domestic matches during the course of his 15-year career.
With 50 wickets, Saxena also finished as the highest wicket-taker in the 2022-23 season of Ranji Trophy.
The all-rounder's flexibility was shown not only by his outstanding statistics, but also by his transformation from a fast-bowling all-rounder to a spin-bowling master.
Saxena's versatility demonstrated his cricketing talent, which contributed to his success as he accepted the difficulties provided by various positions within the squad.
In the Indian Premier League (IPL), Saxena donned the jerseys of Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Delhi Capitals, and Punjab Kings. However, despite rubbing shoulders with the best in the T20 league, he often found himself on the fringe, missing out on significant playing time.
His IPL debut came for Punjab Kings against Delhi Capitals in the 2021 season and it’s his only game so far.
As Jalaj Saxena gracefully walks into the pages of cricketing history, his legacy as one of the finest players in the Indian domestic circuit remains intact. The camaraderie of runs and wickets he amassed reflects not only his skill but also the passion and dedication he brought to the game.
(With IANS inputs)
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