Jalaj Saxena creates history by becoming first player to reach 6000 runs and 400 wickets in Ranji cricket history

Jalaj Saxena, Kerala all-rounder player who also played for Madhya Pradesh once has created history. He becomes the first player to achieve the remarkable double of 6000 runs and 400 wickets in the Ranji Trophy. He made this record during the Elite Group C fourth-round match against Uttar Pradesh at St Xavier's College Ground.

Saxena, who crossed the 6000-run mark in Kerala's previous match in Kolkata, achieved the feat after taking his fourth wicket in the match. He took the wicket of left-handed batsman Nitish Rana with a fast off-spin delivery, trapping Rana stumped.

The 37-year-old bowler became the 13th bowler to complete 400 wickets in the history of Ranji Trophy. His 400 wickets were also his 29th five-wicket haul in the Ranji Trophy. Saxena, who began his first-class career with Madhya Pradesh in 2005, took 159 wickets and scored 4041 runs in his 11-year stint with the state. Base shifting to Kerala in the 2016-17 season saw him end the season as the second-highest wicket-taker in first-class cricket for the team, only behind KN Ananthapadmanabhan.

Last season alone, Saxena joined a rare category when he made history, becoming only the fourth Indian domestic player with 9000 runs and over 600 wickets each in all formats. This keeps him company in the prestigious category with Vinoo Mankad, Madan Lal, and Parvez Rasool. In the Ranji Trophy alone, his record is unmatched among active all-rounders, and ranks alongside Indian greats such as Vijay Hazare, Madan Lal, and Sunil Joshi.