Jalaj Saxena, Sagar Udeshi omissions from Duleep Trophy squads raises eyebrows
The Duleep Trophy team selection has received ire from players and state association officials this season. For instance, off-spinner Jalaj Saxena (Kerala), who was highest wicket taker in Ranji Trophy last season, and Sagar Udeshi (Pondicherry) have been snubbed from the South Zone squad for the Duleep Trophy. The South Zone selectors have also not picked all-rounder Vijay Shankar, who had an impressive Ranji Trophy last season, scoring three centuries.
Saxena, who plays for Kerala, took 50 wickets in seven games while Udeshi took 42 wickets in seven games. From last season the BCCI had asked zonal selectors to pick Duleep Trophy squad. As a result each state unit nominates one of its selectors to pick the squad. The new constitution of the BCCI doesn’t allow its national selectors to pick the teams leaving it totally in the hands of zonal selectors.
Cricket Association Pondicherry (CAP) selector Thalaivan Sargunam Xavier has called the omission of Udeshi totally biased. In the minutes of the meeting — accessed the Indian Express, he has made it a point to raise his objection. “Inspite of best efforts made the chairman, a few cricket association ganged up against Pondicherry and ensured that no one from CAP would represent South Zone though Sagar Udeshi, who took 42 wickets left out while bowlers who took 30 wickets from bigger state is (sic) given priority. I strongly protest the very attitude and regret to record that selection is totally biased.”
Pondicherry was in Elite group last season and the association felt that they have given a raw deal when it comes to selecting players.
Saxena wasn’t available for comment but he had tweeted earlier. “Highest wicket-taker in Ranji trophy in India (Elite Group) didn’t get picked in Duleep trophy. Can you please check whether it has ever happened in Indian domestic hory? Just wanted to know. Not blaming anyone.”
Highest wicket taker in Ranji trophy in India( Elite Group) didn’t get picked in Duleep trophy. Can you please check whether it has ever happened in the Indian Domestic hory? Just wanted to know. Not blaming anyone 🙏 https://t.co/Koewj6ekRt
— Jalaj Saxena (@jalajsaxena33) June 17, 2023
Former India’ pacer Venkatesh Prasad called it ‘a shame’ that Saxena didn’t find a place in the South Zone team. “There are many laughable things happening in Indian cricket. The highest wicket taker in Ranji Trophy not being picked even for the South Zone team is as baffling as it gets. Just renders the Ranji Trophy useless.. what a shame.”
There are many laughable things happening in Indian cricket. The highest wicket taker in Ranji Trophy not being picked even for the South Zone team is as baffling as it gets. Just renders the Ranji Trophy useless..what a shame https://t.co/pI57RbrI81
— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) June 18, 2023
Interestingly, none of the zonal selection committee members spoke to the national selection committee before picking the squad. For instance, the South Zone selectors have named KS Bharat as a wicket-keeper for their opening fixture on July 5. Bharat, who is part of the Indian team, will be travelling to the Caribbean on July 2.
The West Zone saw Kedar Jadhav’s name in the stand- l at a time when the national selectors have moved on from him, while left-arm pacer from Gujarat — Arzan Nagwaswalla has been picked in the squad despite him missing out last domestic season due to injury.
It was one of the reasons, Tushar Deshpande, a Mumbai and CSK pacer has been kept in stand es l.
Many states felt that the quota system still exs and powerful associations drive the selection committee meeting.
The Duleep Trophy will be held later this month in Bengaluru where six zones will compete with each other starting from June 28.
