Former Indian middle-order batter and commentator Hanuma Vihari has expressed his sadness over the 39-year-old spinner Jalaj Saxena not getting a chance to make it to the Indian national team despite exceptional domestic performances.
He also opened up on the 33-year-old Madhya Pradesh all-rounder Saransh Jain’s selection in the Indian Test squad for the Sri Lankan tour. Speaking exclusively on his YouTube channel, Vihari has reckoned that Jalaj was always overshadowed by Ravi Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja when it comes to national selection.
“Saransh Jain has been given an opportunity. He had a great Ranji Trophy season. He has done well for India A as well. But he only got the opportunity because Washington Sundar suffered a hamstring injury. I feel for someone like Jalaj Saxena. He is a legend of domestic cricket. But there were Jadeja and Ashwin when he was at his peak. Saransh was at the right place at the right time, so he got his maiden call-up. Such is life and fate. Congratulations to him. Years of hard work has paid off,” Hanuma Vihari said in a video on his YouTube channel.
Additionally, Vihari has emphasized that it would be a bit tough for Saransh to make his Test debut in the first Test as Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and Manav Suthar are currently seen as the frontline spin bowling options.
“We have to see whether Saransh will get a chance in the playing 11. Manav Suthar did well against Afghanistan. Jadeja is there too. Kuldeep Yadav should start but whether they play him or not is also a big talking point. He should be the third spinner in my opinion and there is no doubt. If it is a rank turner, they can play one fast bowler and also play Saransh as the fourth spinner.”
India’s squad for Tests against Sri Lanka: Shubman Gill [C], KL Rahul [VC], Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant [WK], Sai Sudharsan*, Dhruv Jurel [WK], Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Jasprit Bumrah*, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Devdutt Padikkal, Saransh Jain
*Subject to fitness clearance from CoE
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