Waiting for elusive India call, Kerala all-rounder Jalaj Saxena looks up to Mike Hussey

Jalaj Saxena is a successful cricketer. Only four days ago, he became 19th Indian cricketer to score 6,000 runs and take 300 wickets in first-class cricket after his 3/57 for India Blue against India Red in Duleep Trophy. 

At 32, he will be counted among the Nayudus, Amarnaths, Hazares, Mankads, Umrigars, Nadkarnis, Durranis, Alis, Kapil Devs and Shastris of Indian cricket.

However, there is still an emptiness in the success that he has achieved playing over more than a decade of cricket. He has not experienced the joy of wearing the blues or the whites for Team India, which also makes him the only uncapped Indian cricketer to achieve the feat.

Winner of four Lala Amarnath trophies for the best all-rounder in as many years, Saxena is happy to have reached the landmark. Just that, he does not express his joy like an excited youngster. It elicits a calm and mature response. “Thank you,” Saxena replies softly.

“I am happy. It is a moment of pride for me to be listed along with the legends. Honestly, I knew that I was on the verge of getting 300 wickets, but didn’t know that I will be listed along with the legends,” he says, before adding again: “It’s a matter of pride.”

Saxena’s journey to being the domestic king in Indian cricket is not a planned one. Things kept falling in place one after another when he left Bhilai in Chattisgarh for Indore to play cricket. 

“When I started my career in Bhilai, I never thought I will play Ranji (Trophy). My brother used to play cricket, we moved to Indore when I was 17. We lived in Bhilai and my father was in LIC. Things started falling in place and I started playing Ranji. Did well for Madhya Pradesh before moving to Kerala,” he says.

Despite door-breaking performances year after year, Saxena’s call for ‘I am ready for India’ has fallen on the deaf ears of Indian selectors.

Saxena doesn’t get hyper when asked about not being given a break in Team India. He is at peace and doesn’t want to blame the game for its cruelty. 

“I always look for positives. I am enjoying cricket and the current phase of life. I have no regrets. I still feel I can play for the country. That is my dream. Some get chance early, some get late. Maybe, I am in the second category. Playing for the country is the motivation and I love cricket,” he says.

Such has been his desperation that once he asked selectors on why he has been ignored. But to his disappointment, they never had a convincing answer.

“Honestly, I asked them, they never said anything. Always said have some patience and you will get your chances. It is not my job to think. My job is to perform and improve my skills. In their eyes, maybe I am not good.”

Saxena knows he is not getting any younger and, at 32, even if he gets an opportunity to don the blues, there is little chance that he could replicate his domestic success or achieve greatness at the international level.

“Greatness is all about skills. The world will know about how great you are if you play for your country. In my case, my teammates, friends and family know that I am a world-class player and that I belong to that level. Maybe, I have not achieved greatness, but playing for India is the biggest motivation which I am still working towards,” he says.

Sympathies flow like water for Saxena while visiting friends, teammates and families or even after award ceremonies. The all-rounder now knows how to control his emotions. 

“It does happen. People sympathise with you. When I got two-three consecutive awards, people would come and at that time, I used to feel that. Now I have got a little mature. My family, brother has taught me that happiness is inside you, it should not be in others’ control. You should control emotions. What others think or talk is not in my control, but now I own my emotions. I try to be focussed and calm. I don’t get happy or sad when they say something,” he says.

Saxena takes inspiration from former Australian batsman Mike Hussey. “He is actually my inspiration. He already had 10,000 runs (in domestic cricket) when he came into the international set up. I spend a lot of time with Hussey whenever he comes to India and I make sure I speak to him,” he says.

At his Indian Premier League team Delhi Capitals, he has two giants, mentor Sourav Ganguly and coach Ricky Ponting, who have kept him on his toes. 

“Last year, I played with DC but didn’t get a chance, but I got to speak to Sourav and Ricky. They kept me motivated. They told me I will get many chances and I should take it with both hands.” 

Ganguly also praised his innings when Saxena got a hundred against a Bengal attack that had the likes of Mohd Shami and Ashok Dinda, which gave Kerala an important win in the 2018 Ranji Trophy season.

At DC, he has young Prithvi Shaw’s company. Does he feel strange when a cricketer who is just a few years old in cricket is a superstar while someone like him doesn’t attract much attention?

“I don’t think it’s strange. Rather it’s a matter of happiness that what I am not getting, someone else is. I enjoy his success. It’s about a team and I always believe in it. Without enjoying each others’ success, it’s difficult to play as team. Prithvi will also be happy to see me get successfull. If you are happy for them, they will also be happy. If you fail, people will come and help you. That connection is always there,” he says.