In a historic achievement, 37-year-old all-rounder Jalaj Saxena from Kerala etched his name in Indian cricket history, becoming only the third player to amass 9000 runs and take 600 wickets in domestic cricket, a feat previously accomplished by Madan Lal and Vinoo Mankad. This milestone was realized during the recent Ranji Trophy match against Uttar Pradesh.

3 things you need to know

• Cheteshwar Pujara has scored his 17th double hundred in First class cricket. 
• Riyan Parag scored the second-fastest century in Ranji Trophy history. 
• Cheteshwar Pujara jumps to fourth in all-time First Class runs among Indians.

Jalaj Saxena registers huge milestone

In the Group B encounter concluded on Monday, Saxena exhibited his bowling prowess, claiming three wickets for 152 runs across two innings, bringing his combined tally in First-class, List A, and T20 matches to an impressive 602 wickets.

Over 308 matches spanning various formats, Saxena accumulated 6574 runs in First-class, 2035 runs in List A, and 661 runs in 70 T20 matches, totaling an outstanding 9,270 runs.

Despite consistent domestic excellence since his debut with Madhya Pradesh in 2005 and subsequent stints with Delhi and Kerala, Saxena's international aspirations remained unfulfilled in his 15-year career.

The 2022-23 Ranji Trophy season saw Saxena as the leading wicket-taker with an impressive 50 wickets.

Saxena's adaptability, transitioning from a fast-bowling all-rounder to a spin-bowling maestro, showcased his cricketing acumen. Despite limited opportunities in the IPL, where he played for various teams, including Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings, Saxena's legacy as a top-tier player in the Indian domestic circuit is now solidified, reflecting not just skill but also the passion and dedication he brought to the game.