[WATCH] Former selectors ‘surprised’ that Jalaj Saxena has never played for India, mock themselves on air

A bizarre scenario played out on Day 1 of the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy clash between Kerala and Maharashtra at the Greenfield International Stadium. The incident involved former national selectors and present commentators Salil Ankola, Chetan Sharma and seasoned veteran Jalaj Saxena.

Saxena had just come out to bat with Maharashtra in all sorts of trouble after being reduced to 18/5 at one stage. However, Saxena, along with Ruturaj Gaikwad, guided Maharashtra to calmer waters. In the meantime, a stat popped up on the screen, showing that Saxena was only the fourth Indian cricketer to achieve the rare double of 7000 runs and 400 wickets in First-Class cricket.

An impressed Ankola commented that it was “very surprising” that Saxena had never played for India despite such stellar all-round numbers. Chetan, wittily, responded to Ankola’s comment.

Chetan: Salil, you used one word ‘very surprising’, but let me tell you, we were both former selectors (laughs).

Ankola: And you were the chairman! (laughs)

Chetan: Fingers must have been raised at us as well.

Ankola featured on the national selection panel for the men’s team from January 2023 to August 2024. On the other hand, Chetan served as the chairperson of the men’s selection committee in various separate stints from December 2020 to February 2023.

Speaking about Saxena and his glorious numbers in the domestic scene, he is currently the leading wicket-taker of the Ranji Trophy (as of October 16). To top that, he has also scored 7060 runs in FC cricket (prior to the ongoing Kerala-Maharashtra clash). Despite such wonderful numbers, he was never called up to represent India.

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