After the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced India A squad for the New Zealand series at home, Saurashtra batter Sheldon Jackson expressed his disappointment as the seasoned campaigner was yet again overlooked by the selectors.
Jackson averages 50+ in 79 First Class matches but hasn’t received a major India call-up till now. Apart from not being picked in India A squad, Jackson was also ignored by the West Zone for Duleep Trophy.
Two international players – Kuldeep Yadav and Prasidh Krishna – have been named in the 16 member India A squad led by Priyank Panchal. Similarly, veteran Indian batter Ajinkya Rahane was named captain of the West Zone for the Duleep Trophy.
Meanwhile, Jackson – who plays for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), couldn’t control his emotions and said he should be picked on the basis of his performances and not age.
“I have a right to believe and dream that if i have performed for 3 continuous season, i may get picked on the basis of my performances not age, tired of hearing this that I’m a good player and performer, but I’m old. I’m 35, not 75 (sic),” tweeted Jackson.
I have a right to believe and dream that if i have performed for 3 continuous season, i may get picked on the basis of my performances not age, tired of hearing this that im a good player and performer but im old🤣, im 35 not 75 🤣🤣
— Sheldon Jackson (@ShelJackson27) August 24, 2022
The 35-year-old was in fine form during the recently-concluded Ranji Trophy, amassing 313 runs in 3 matches, including four half-centuries. He has scored over 2000 runs in the last three seasons of domestic cricket and was rewarded with an IPL debut for KKR earlier this year. However, the wicketkeeper-batter couldn’t really perform to his potential in the cash-rich league.
In nine IPL matches across two seasons, Jackson has only scored 61 runs at an average of a little over 10.
