Jalaj Saxena — a journeyman in pursuit of a long-cherished dream

In an era when longevity in Indian domestic cricket is increasingly rare, Jalaj Saxena continues to stand out for his endurance as much as he does for his excellence. Into his 21st consecutive First Class season, the veteran all-rounder is inching closer to two remarkable landmarks: he is four wickets shy of 500 First Class wickets and within striking distance of becoming the fourth-highest wicket-taker in Ranji Trophy history.

Funnily enough, the man himself remains blissfully unaware of his proximity to these milestones.

“No idea what the latest number is,” he replied after Maharashtra’s innings win against Punjab in Chandigarh. He was told he was at 496.

It is not an act. The 38-year-old genuinely does not track his figures. “I know when I get on Instagram. That’s it,” he laughs.

For a cricketer whose earnings, relevance, and future have long depended on numbers, this indifference is unusual. But it is also what defines him.

Past the conventional ‘prime’ in cricket, he speaks with the composure of someone who has made peace with the uncertainty of sport. The calm, however, has not diminished his one unrelenting desire – the India cap that has eluded him despite two decades of dominance on the domestic circuit. “I still have that dream. I don’t know how realistic it is, but without that motivation, I wouldn’t be able to work the way I do.”

The self-belief is intact. The self-doubt that occasionally surfaces is dealt with the same way he handles everything else — by focusing on what can be controlled. “Aiming is in my control. Being selected is not. So I keep aiming. That’s enough.”

Consistency needs effort

As cliched as that sounds, Jalaj walks the talk. Just a month shy of turning 38, he spent almost three days out on the field – bowling long spells or keeping Maharashtra in the game with a defiant effort down the batting order – against a formidable opponent.

Over the years, Jalaj has become a travelling professional, a role that has a clear demand: deliver or make way. That mantra has carried him from Madhya Pradesh to Kerala and now to Maharashtra.

“When you play professionally, there is always pressure to contribute. It actually helps your game. Pressure makes you improve. I enjoy it.”

It shows. He is relishing his role as a reliable all-rounder, ever-dependable with the ball and solid with the bat. But, perhaps more importantly, he has become a sounding board for a relatively young dressing room.

“The first goal is to qualify, then win the Ranji Trophy. On paper, this is one of the best teams in the country.”

The side’s run hasn’t been perfect — dropped catches cost Maharashtra dearly against Karnataka — but Jalaj refuses to read too much into it.

“We didn’t have luck in this match… but I am hopeful that we will do well, qualify and compete strongly for the title.”

Jalaj knows the ins and outs of the way Maharashtra operates, not just by virtue of being in the ecosystem for as long as he has. He is well acquainted with many of the players within the setup, including captain Ankeet Bawane. In fact, the selection committee chief, Akshay Darekar, was his roommate during his maiden India A tour to the West Indies in 2012.

Darekar played an important role in getting Jalaj introduced to the younger lot in the setup during the off-season. In the months to follow, his optimistic nature has helped break the ice with the unit.

Desire sans expectations

Hope has never been passive for Saxena. It is practical, grounded, and always accompanied by effort. Jalaj has played long enough to know the sport often gives more scars than celebrations.

“I try to control the controllables. I don’t think about the rest. Cricket teaches you that. Every innings starts from zero. It keeps you grounded.”

It also keeps him detached from expectations.

“If something isn’t in my hands, I don’t feel disappointed. I have learnt that from Under-14 itself. Selection, non-selection — these things are not in your control.”

In recent years, Jalaj has embraced the responsibility of mentoring teammates — whether in Kerala earlier or in Maharashtra now. His satisfaction comes from seeing younger players succeed, even if it pushes him further away from the spotlight.

“If they perform well, the team benefits, and so do I. Ultimately, everyone doing well helps my dream too.”

It is a delicate balance — nurturing others while chasing a dream that flickers but never fades. Jalaj handles it with the same equanimity he brings to his cricket.

As Indian cricket transitions into a new era shaped heavily by the Indian Premier League, Jalaj offers a pragmatic perspective, devoid of judgment.

“Changes have to come. In mentality, approach, everything. IPL has helped domestic cricket a lot. And changes were necessary.”

Coming from someone who has spent a lifetime in the domestic grind, the honesty carries weight.

When Jalaj reaches the 500-wicket milestone — the Ranji Trophy will have a two-month break and resume in January 2026 — it will be a moment of celebration. But it is unlikely he will mark the achievement in any extraordinary way. He may not even realise the occasion when it arrives.

Numbers have never been the story for this seasoned spin-bowling all-rounder. The narrative has always been about endurance, adaptability, process, and the relentless power of a dream that has been as steady at 38 as it was at 14.

As Maharashtra goes through the ups and downs of another campaign with quiet ambition and a dressing room rich in youth, they also have, in Jalaj, a rare figure in Indian domestic cricket — a cricketer who has achieved almost everything the domestic circuit can offer, except the one thing he still wakes up chasing.

Still, he doesn’t sound bitter. In fact, he revels in being awarded the Best Allrounder award in domestic cricket almost half a dozen times at the annual BCCI Awards function.

“Even though I haven’t been able to play for India, the BCCI has acknowledged my contribution with awards like Best Cricketer, Best All-rounder,” he says. “When you get recognition, when the authorities recognize your efforts, it gives a lot of happiness.”

Whether that final chapter is written or not, his journey remains one of Indian cricket’s finest testaments to perseverance — and to the quiet, unshowy dignity that has marked his entire career.