Indian wicketkeeper takes a dig at Indian selectors

Indian cricketer Sheldon Jackson expressed his displeasure on being overlooked by the national selectors for the 2018-19 and 2019-2020 seasons in an interview. The wicketkeeper-batsman has amassed 5947 runs in 79 first-class games at a magnificent average of 50.39. Despite this marvelous performance the 35-year-old is yet to get a maiden India call-up.

In an interview given to Sportskeeda, Jackson revealed that he was deemed too ‘old’ by the selectors to be able to play for the country. He said that he was really annoyed by the lack of communication between him and the selectors. "Once I asked someone (around 2018-19 or 2019-20) what more I need to do, I was told I am old. They told me that above 30, we are not picking anyone. But ultimately, after a year, they picked someone who was around 32-33. I was very vocal that is there any law that once you’re above 30, 35 or even 40 you cannot get picked? Then why don’t you come out with a law itself?," said Jackson.

Jackson’s stellar performances are not just limited to first-class cricket. He also has an exceptional record in list A cricket. He has scored 2,346 runs at an average of 37.23 with 8 hundreds and 12 fifties. Despite being ignored by the selectors for so long, Jackson aims to keep moving ahead with his constant hunger for runs and let his performance speak for itself.

“It is very difficult because year in and year out, you’re putting in the hard yards, being consistent, because Indian domestic cricket is so difficult, to be consistent over there year in year out," Jackson said. "But that is the motivation for me. The more I don’t get picked, the more I get determined to do it again. Not to prove people, but to prove it to myself that I still have the hunger in me,” said Jackson.

In the latest edition of the Indian T20 League, Sheldon was a part of the Kolkata team. The franchise picked him up in the mega auction for a price of INR 60 Lacs. But he got to play only five matches for the team. He just scored 23 runs in these five matches at an average of 5.75 and a strike rate of 88.46. But Jackson was praised by the fans and experts for his glovework behind the stumps.