Jalaj Saxena, aged 38, India’s all-rounder player, made the record breaking pace while knowing that he won’t play for India in future. He find ‘happiness and fulfilment’ in the cricket.
He made his first-class debut in December 2005, Jalaj Saxena took the highest number of wickets in Ranji Trophy. It’s been twenty years in his career, and he is still passionate about playing his role to the best at this age, while many of his fellow players have been retired from field.
During the Ranji Trophy this year, the Kerala all-rounder became the first player to achieve the 400 wickets and more than 12000 runs. While Kerala practices for their semi-final against Gujarat in Ahmedabad, Saxena chats with ESPNcricinfo about his career, the challenges he went through, and what makes him passionate.
When he was asked that even at this age, how he is still energetic about his game. What makes him keep going. He said,
“I love this game, and I want to keep playing as much as I can. That is the motivation. Also, I’ve never played for India, and that fire is still there. As a professional, if that fire is not there, you won’t be able to survive. Whether you are 38-39 or 20-22, you have to push yourself. There has to be a goal; without an end goal, you won’t be able to perform. I know it’s close to impossible to play for India now, and I may just be dreaming—I know that. But if that dream dies, I won’t be able to perform.”
Further, he was asked that what you think which achievement makes you motivated, he responded:
“I really love first-class cricket, red-ball cricket. It’s easy for me to retire and just sign up with one of the many legends leagues for good money instead of toiling all season long in the domestic circuit. But I don’t find joy in doing that. I don’t think I’ll retire just to play in those leagues.
I don’t think I’ll be emotionally happy doing that because my emotions, heart, and everything are with first-class cricket. Playing top-flight cricket keeps that motivation alive—wanting to develop new skill sets with the ball, staying fit, and coming back again to perform. I find my mental peace and happiness in just bowling and taking wickets. I won’t have that contentment playing for easy money; the fun is in this grind and being able to perform match after match.”
He was further questioned that how he spent his time, when he is not playing in the field.
“It’s rare that I’m not playing at all. Like between the end of the Ranji Trophy group stages and quarter-finals, I rushed to Gwalior to play two T20 games for the Accountant General’s office, my employers. But yes, when I’m not playing, I love doing yoga. I travel to the mountains, I love meditation retreats and hiking. I try to take one such trip every year.”
