Sheldon Jackson has 5947 runs in 79 first-class matches with 19 centuries and average above 50.
Jackson has scored 5947 runs in 79 first-class matches at an outstanding average of 50.39 including 19 centuries and 31 half-centuries. The wicketkeeper-batter has been a consistent performer but is still waiting for his maiden India call-up.
He has also had decently impressive stints in the Indian Premier League for Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kolkata Knight Riders, getting rave reviews for his keeping skills. He had an amazing outing in the last season of domestic white-ball cricket, which earned him a gig in the IPL 2022.
However, Jackson still awaits the elusive call-up from the BCCI selectors and refuses to give up the reason for age.
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“To be honest, this has not happened just this year, it has been happening since the beginning. The amount of runs and the rate at which I got them; I don’t think many in the country have. If you see 75 matches and around 6000 runs, that shows what I have achieved through my hard work," Jackson told Sportskeeda.
“There has been no communication (on his non-selection) but once I asked someone 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?" he added.
It has affected Jackson but he instead is using it as fuel to keep his India dream alive.
“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. 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," he said.