Jalaj Saxena, Kerala’s finest domestic recruit, is taking a break. But he’s on fire in KCL

After playing a vital role in Kerala's Ranji Trophy campaigns for nearly a decade, seasoned all-rounder Jalaj Saxena is leaving the state. But the 38-year-old does not want to make a silent exit; instead, he is smashing it around the ground in his maiden Kerala Cricket League (KCL).

On Thursday, Saxena hit a 50-ball 85, clubbing four sixes and nine boundaries to power Alleppey Ripples to 182/6 against defending champions Kollam Sailors. Ripples won by 2 runs, with Saxena bagging a wicket. 

Saxena, who is a genuine first-class cricketer, was a surprise inclusion in the second season of the T20 event. He took his time to settle in, making 8, 16 and 17 in his first three innings.

Saxena scored a handy 43 off 33, but ended up on the losing side as the Ripples lost to Calicut Globstars by 44 runs on August 26.

The native of Indore has undoubtedly been the best non-Malayali cricketer to play for Kerala. Last season, he became the first player to reach the double of 6,000 runs and 400 wickets in the Ranji Trophy.

Saxena was instrumental as Sachin Baby-led Kerala reached the Ranji Trophy final for the first time. Last season, he bagged 40 wickets, the most by a Kerala bowler. Kerala finished as runners-up to Vidarbha in Nagpur.

According to reports, Saxena asked the Kerala Cricket Association to not consider him for the next domestic season. KCA Secretary Vinod S Kumar told a daily that Saxena wanted to take a break from cricket and be with his family.