'Who Are These People': Sheldon Jackson Slams Indian Selectors For Repeated Snubs

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Sheldon Jackson is one of the most popular names in the Indian domestic circuit. The Saurashtra-born batter has over 5500 runs to his name in the first-class matches, while averaging 49.42 in 76 games. Yet, the 34-year-old hasn't found a place in the Indian team. 

There have been several media reports recently where it has been said that selectors don't prefer players who are more than the age of 30. According to ex-Saurashtra coach, Kasran Ghavri, fast bowler Jaydev Unadkat, too, has been a victim of this theory despite him being 29-years-old. 

While talking to Cricket Next, Sheldon Jackson, who helped Saurashtra finish at second place in the 2018-19 Ranji trophy before moving to play for Pondicherry, slammed the Indian selectors for looking at age of the player and not by the performance. 

"I’m 34. If I’m performing well, better than a 22-23-year-old, where is it written in the laws of the game that you’re not eligible to get picked for the national team? Who are those people judging you, and on ability are they judging you? By Ranji score? Fitness?," the wicket-keeper batter who has scored more than 800 runs in the last two Ranji Trophy seasons said. 

"If you’re scoring 800-900 runs consistently for two-three seasons, it means you have to be fit. Or you won’t be able to sustain it. So how can you be judged? Many a times I hear that ‘he’s above 30’. Where is it written that you can’t be picked? And who are these people who are taking away your right from you?" he added. 

Even though he has been a consistent performer in List-A cricket scoring more than 2000 runs in 60 matches at an average of 37, Jackson continues to get overlooked by the India A team let alone the well-established senior team.