Former India speedster Venkatesh Prasad has again made the headlines after he lambasted the BCCI selectors for not picking veteran spinner Jalaj Saxena in the South Zone’s squad in the upcoming Duleep Trophy. Notably, Saxena was one of the most prominent performers of the Ranji Trophy 2022-23 season. After witnessing him not being considered for South Zone’s squad, Prasad took to his Twitter handle to criticize the BCCI selectors.
"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," Venkatesh Prasad tweeted.
Playing for Kerala, Saxena scalped 50 wickets in the seven games he played in the last season of the Ranji Trophy and was also useful with the bat as well. As of now in his career, he has gathered 6567 runs to his name, including 14 centuries and 32 half centuries. Earlier, Jalaj was also shocked to see his elimination from the Duleep Trophy. The 36-year-old stated that he the leading wicket taker in the Ranji Trophy was not selected in the Duleep Trophy and also questioned whether it had ever happened in history.
"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 history? Just wanted to know. Not blaming anyone," Jalaj Saxena tweeted.
South Zone Squad: Hanuma Vihari (c), Mayank Agarwal (vc), Sai Sudharsan, Ricky Bhui (wk), KS Bharat (wk), R Samarth, Washington Sundar, Sachin Baby, Pradosh Ranjan Paul, Sai Kishore, V Kaverappa, V Vyshak, KV Sasikanth, Darshan Misal, and Tilak Varma.