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Uncapped Jalaj Saxena enters elite list in first-class cricket

The right-handed batsman and right-arm off-break bowler played as many as 113 first-class matches and accumulated 6044 runs apart from picking up 305 wickets.

Uncapped Jalaj Saxena enters elite list in first-class cricket

Kolkata: Kerala's Jalaj Saxena in action on Day 2 of a Ranji Trophy match between Bengal and Kerala at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Nov 21, 2018. (File Photo: IANS)

Although the Duleep Trophy battle between India Red and India Blue ended without a result, Madhya Pradesh born Kerala all-rounder Jalaj Saxena did manage to achieve a rare feat.

Playing for the India Blue side, the 32-year-old all-rounder became the only uncapped player in the history of first-class cricket to score over 6000 runs and pick more than 300 wickets.

With this rare achievement, Jalaj Saxena joined the group of cricketers who went on to achieve some remarkable things in their International and domestic careers, including names like Kapil Dev and Madan Lal. However, he happens to be the only player in that list who is yet to receive his India call.

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The right-handed batsman and right-arm off-break bowler played as many as 113 first-class matches and accumulated 6044 runs apart from picking up 305 wickets. Although he did spend his initial years playing first-class cricket for Madhya Pradesh, better opportunities led him to Kerala.

Despite being a proven match-winner in the domestic circuit, Jalaj Saxena, who was bagged by Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League earlier this year, has somehow never caught the eye of the Indian national team selectors.

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