Veteran all-rounder Jalaj Saxena said it was an honour as a professional player to be playing in Kerala’s first-ever Ranji Trophy final after the side’s draw with Gujarat in the semifinal here on Friday.
After 20 years in the domestic circuit, aggregating over 7000 First-Class runs and 480 wickets, it will be the off-spinner’s first Ranji final too.
“I think it is a great honour for me to be representing Kerala in its first Ranji final. It’s a feeling which I cannot express in words. I’ve always dreamed of this moment and fortunately, it’s happening for me,” said the 38-year-old.
“I’m very grateful to the Kerala Cricket Association for giving me the opportunity. I’m very grateful to the players and support staff. They worked hard and because of everyone’s contribution, we are here,” he added.
Saxena was part of Kerala’s last semifinal appearance in 2018/19 when it lost to Vidarbha – its opponent in the final this year. Since then the all-rounder has seen the team’s journey to the top from close quarters.
“I have seen them grooming from the time I came here. I have seen the difference in the level of cricket in the last nine years and it’s been commendable,” the spinner said.
Kerala bowler Jalaj Saxena showing the helmet along with teammates after entering the Finals on the fifth day of the Ranji Trophy match against Gujarat.
| Photo Credit:
MOORTHY RV/The Hindu
Kerala bowler Jalaj Saxena showing the helmet along with teammates after entering the Finals on the fifth day of the Ranji Trophy match against Gujarat.
| Photo Credit:
MOORTHY RV/The Hindu
“The credit goes to each player because it the effort they have put in and I am sure that we will perform even better and do wonders in the coming years,” he added.
After he picked up four wickets with the ball, Kerala needed Saxena’s experience with the bat to guide them through a tricky phase after losing four wickets in a trice post-lunch on the final day.
“To be very honest, we were under a lot of pressure. Under your helmet, three or four guys were sitting and talking to you and putting pressure on you,” Saxena explained.
“But the only thing in my mind was that we worked quite hard in this match and we deserve to play in the finals. We should not ruin what we have achieved,” he said.
Saxena was required to bowl a marathon spell of 71 overs as the team set out to defend its first-innings score of 457. He says it could be the most overs he would have bowled in a single innings.
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“As a professional cricketer, we are prepared for this. We have been working very hard. Even in the off-season, we bowled three hours straight which is approximately 60-odd overs. It’s a part of the process,” he opined.
The all-rounder also credited coach Amay Khurasiya with spreading positivity and self-belief in the team’s ranks which has helped them keep their composure during crunch moments in the quarterfinal and the semifinal.
“He’s giving that positivity to the team every day. There are certain routines which we are doing every day and it is helping us. I think the credit goes to every Kerala support staff who kept on believing in the process,” he opined.