What Have I Done So Terribly Wrong To Deserve This: Domestic Legend Jalaj Saxena Disappointed After Non-Selection In India A Squad

MSK Prasad-led selection panel named a number of India A squads for the home series against Sri Lanka and away series against West Indies yesterday but one of the prominent names missing from the list was that of Jalaj Saxena, the best all-rounder in the Indian domestic circuit right since 2012/13 season. He has been at his best with bat and ball in past seven seasons and has also won Lala Amarnath award from BCCI thrice.

Last year as well, he was bestowed with the award for his performance in the domestic circuit. In 2018/19 Ranji Trophy season, he again emerged as one of the best all-rounders by scoring 551 runs and taking 28 wickets for Kerala. He also became first Indian cricketer to take eight wickets and score a century in same match twice. But there was no place for him in any of the India A squads.

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Jalaj Saxena seemed to be disappointed with his non-selection and shared his feelings in a tweet on social media. “What have I done so terribly wrong, to deserve this?” he wrote.

What have I done so terribly wrong, to deserve this?

— Jalaj Saxena (@jalajsaxena33) May 14, 2019

Jalaj has been a consistent performer in domestic cricket but his efforts have not been recognised by selectors. He last played for India A in the home series against England Lions.

He was the second highest wicket-taker for the home team with seven scalps in two matches. He was hoping for a long run from selectors but that wasn’t the case. Rahul Chahar, Jayant Yadav and Aditya Sarwate are three spinners in India A squad for Sri Lanka series.

For the West Indies tour, selectors named Krishnappa Gowtham, Shahbaz Nadeem and Mayank Markande in the squad.

India will be hosting Sri Lanka in two four-day games from May 25 and 31 in Belgaum and Hubli respectively. The first three of five one-day games will also be played in Hubli while last two matches will be played in Belgaum.

Also Read: Wriddhiman Saha named in India A squad for West Indies tour

On the West Indies tour, India A will play five one-day games in Antigua across two different venues. Post that, the two teams will play three four-day games in Antigua, Port of Spain and Trinidad and Tobago respectively.

The West Indies series will also see the comeback of Wriddhiman Saha. He has been selected for all the three four-day matches and is set to regain his spot back in the national squad. Although, Rishabh Pant might start the series as first-choice wicket-keeper with Saha as the second choice.