Jalaj Saxena Excited To Play In IPL 2021 And Eyes A Spot In The National Team

Indian domestic all-rounder Jalaj Saxena has had far from a smooth journey in the sport so far as he is headed to IPL 2021. Jalaj Saxena will feature for his fourth franchise in IPL 2021 as Punjab Kings picked him in the auction for his base price of INR 30 lakhs, having already plied his trade for the Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, and the Royal Challengers Bangalore. The 34-year old still aspires to play for India.

While Jalaj Saxena’s T20 career might not be a decorated one, the case is for his first-class one. The Indore-born cricketer has featured in 123 first-class fixtures, scoring 6334 runs at 35.98 alongside 14 centuries and 31 fifties. Saxena has also grabbed 347 scalps at 27.17, along with a whopping 21 fifers and 11 four-wicket hauls. Furthermore, the BCCI also recognized him as the best domestic all-rounder in the seasons 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2017-18 But the rewards in the form of a national call-up has not come up yet.

Jalaj Saxena revealed that he is only following a process to become a better player and making it result-oriented by updating himself and learning new things. The veteran cricketer feels that age is only a number and if a player wants to perform and is motivated to learn new things, he/she becomes unstoppable. Hence, Saxena hopes to play for his country one day.

“Honestly, I’m just taking it as a process to become a better player. Results are just an outcome of the process. I want to become a better bowler, a better player. For that I need to update myself and learn new things. That is the process. I think age is just a number. If you’re fit enough, if you’re performing and willing to learn new stuff, then age is just a number. Secondly, I love playing so there’s no question of motivation. When I started cricket as a career it was just because I loved it. Still I love it, that’s the motivation. Every day, every season when I start preparation, I want to add new things and improve. Hopefully, I will play for the country as well,” Saxena told News18.

Very happy and excited to be in the IPL: Jalaj Saxena

Jalaj Saxena conceded he looks forward to one of the best T20 leagues in the world and sees it as a platform to play for the country. He hopes to use the upcoming edition of IPL to earn an India cap and put on compelling and defining performances to help Punjab Kings win its maiden title.

“Very happy and excited to be in the IPL. We all know that IPL is a very good platform for everyone who wants to play for the country. You never know, one good season and you’re there. Very happy and excited, hopefully I’ll get an opportunity and hopefully Punjab team does well so that every player will get into the limelight. I’m very excited about it,” he added.

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