In a historic achievement, 37-year-old Kerala all-rounder Jalaj Saxena has joined an elite club in Indian cricket alongside Madan Lal and Vinoo Mankad. He becomes only the third player to accomplish the rare double of 9000 runs and 600 wickets in domestic cricket during the Ranji Trophy match against Uttar Pradesh.
In the recent Ranji Trophy Group B match, Saxena claimed three wickets for 152 runs, bringing his combined tally for First-class, List A, and T20s to 602 wickets. Over 308 matches across three formats, he has scored 6574 runs in First-class, 2035 runs in List A, and 661 runs in 70 T20 matches, reaching a combined total of 9,270 runs.
Despite his remarkable domestic performances, Jalaj’s aspiration for an international cap has remained unfulfilled throughout his 15-year career. Notably, he finished as the highest wicket-taker in the 2022-23 season of the Ranji Trophy with 50 wickets.
Saxena’s versatility is evident not only in his exceptional statistics but also in his transition from a fast-bowling all-rounder to a spin-bowling maestro, showcasing his cricketing acumen and adaptability to different roles.
In the Indian Premier League (IPL), Saxena has represented Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Delhi Capitals, and Punjab Kings. Despite his presence in the T20 league, he often found himself on the fringe, with only one IPL appearance for Punjab Kings in the 2021 season.
As Jalaj Saxena makes his mark in cricketing history, his legacy as one of the finest players in the Indian domestic circuit remains intact. His significant contribution of runs and wickets reflects not only his skill but also the passion and dedication he has brought to the game.
