One of the most prolific batsmen in India’s domestic circuit, Sheldon Jackson has shifted his base from Saurashtra to Puducherry ahead of the upcoming season.
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Moving out was a tough decision for Jackson as he played a key role in Saurashtra's maiden Ranji Trophy triumph last season. The right-hander aggregated 809 runs in the 2019-20 season in 10 matches (18 innings) at an impressive average of 50.56.
"This has been one of the hardest decisions that I had to make and it's not been easy for me but I feel its the right time for me to move on and play as a professional in some other team or state," Jackson stated in a release issued by Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA).
Jackson made his debut for Saurashtra in 2011 and amassed 5634 runs in first-class cricket at an average of 49.42 with 19 centuries and 27 fifties.
The 33-year-old has received the No Objection Certificate (NOC) from SCA to play domestic cricket for other associations.
"The journey so far has been fantastic and I am thankful to everyone at Saurashtra Cricket Association for standing by my side in my good and bad times," Jackson said.
"I am very thankful to Mr Niranjan Shah (SCA Secretary) and Mr Jaydev Shah (SCA President) who have been father figures to me on and off the field and have been my constant support in my times of darkness and when I was low in my performances," he added.
The SCA President showered rich praise on Jackson and wished him luck for his next assignment.
"Sheldon Jackson has been outstanding Cricketer and great human being. I sincerely wish him all the very best," Jaydev Shah said.
Former Test bowler Pankaj Singh has also returned to Puducherry after missing the last season due to injury while Paras Dogra, another prolific scorer in domestic cricket, has been retained as the third guest player.
Cricket Association of Pondicherry (CAP) Secretary V Chandran welcomed Jackson, Pankaj and Dogra in the team.
"Signed contracts with Sheldon Jackson, Paras Dogra and Pankaj Singh for 2020-21 season as guest players. All three have established themselves as top performers for a long period of time in Ranji Trophy," the CAP official told PTI.
"We opted for Jackson as he is a great batter and has done well in Ranji Trophy on a consistent basis and helped Saurashtra win the title with his superb batting," he added.
Chandran said the team has enough resources this season to reach the knockout stage.
"CAP has enough resources this season to do well and qualify for the quarterfinals and take it from there. The selectors unanimously picked the three guest players-Jackson, Dogra and Singh," he stated.
(With PTI inputs)
