Sheldon Jackson is an experienced and talented batsman, who has scored runs in bundles. But, he is constantly being ignored by the national selectors. In a recent interview, the right-handed batsman opened up taking an indirect dig on the selectors and said that who gave them the right not to select players above 30 years.
The Saurashtra-born player has done whatever it takes to get picked for the national side. He holds the record for scoring 750 plus runs in most numbers of Ranji Trophy. He did an impressive job in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy by scoring 242 runs in 5 appearances with an amazing strike rate of 155+. However, he is still not picked in any format by the national selectors.
Sheldon Jackson Opens Up On His Ambition Of Playing For India
During an interview, he was quizzed on his ambition of playing for Team India. The right-handed batsman said that he has been performing better than any youngster in domestic cricket. As per him, age should not be a factor to judge a player and there is no law that a player above 30 years old cannot play for Team India. He added that it is not an easy task to maintain consistency for more than 2 seasons without sustaining any injury. And, he wants selectors to judge him on his performance, not on age.
I’m 34. If I’m performing well, better than a 22-23-year-old, where is it written in the laws of the game that you’re not eligible to get picked for the national team? Who are those people judging you, and on ability are they judging you? By Ranji score? Fitness? If you’re scoring 800-900 runs consistently for two-three seasons, it means you have to be fit. Or you won’t be able to sustain. So how can you be judged? Many times I hear that ‘he’s above 30’. Where is it written that you can’t be picked? And who are these people who are taking away your right from you?.
You have to judge by the game, not on some factor that doesn’t resonate. I was not aware of it, but recently I saw a stat on Twitter that I’m among players who have scored 750+ runs in a Ranji Trophy season maximum times.
