Which Law Says You Can't Be Picked For The National Team If You Are Above 30? Sheldon Jackson Slams Indian Selectors

Sheldon Jackson is a known name in Indian domestic cricket having played the majority of his cricket for Baroda and now plays for Puducherry. He has excelled with the bat having scored more than 800 runs in each of the last two completed Ranji Trophy seasons.

He played an important role in Saurashtra finishing runners-up in 2018-19 before helping the team lift the trophy the following season. He moved on to Puducherry in order to stake a claim for the national side given that helping a new team might put him in the spotlight for selection.

Despite scoring heavily in domestic cricket, Sheldon Jackson has never managed to impress the selectors, who have not even considered him for the India A team.

I’m 34. If I’m Performing Well, Better Than A 22-23-Year-Old, Which Law Prevents Me From Being Selected For Indian Team: Sheldon Jackson

Talking to New18.com, Sheldon Jackson came down heavily on selectors and their bias while choosing players for the Indian team and even India A side. He felt that selectors didn’t pick him in India A as he was 34 years old and doubted his fitness and abilities.

“I’m 34. If I’m performing well, better than a 22-23-year-old, where is it written in the laws of the game that you’re not eligible to get picked for the national team? Who are those people judging you, and on ability are they judging you? By Ranji score? Fitness?

If you’re scoring 800-900 runs consistently for two-three seasons, it means you have to be fit. Or you won’t be able to sustain it. So how can you be judged? Many times I hear that ‘he’s above 30’. Where is it written that you can’t be picked? And who are these people who are taking away your right from you?” Sheldon Jackson said.

Sheldon Jackson impressed in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, scoring 242 runs in five matches at a strike rate of 155.12. He also scored a century against Andhra. His performances earned him an IPL contract with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) after a gap of 4 years.

He will expect to turn out for the KKR when the second half of the IPL 2021 is played in UAE, reportedly during the Sept-Oct window.

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