Domestic legend Sheldon Jackson is set to return to Saurashtra, the team with which he won the Ranji Trophy in 2019-20. After the Ranji victory, Jackson moved to Puducherry as a professional player. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jackson did not play for Puducherry in the Ranji Trophy, and represented the team in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in limited-overs formats only. Saurashtra Cricket Association President Jaydev Shah confirmed to Press Trust of India that Jackson has obtained NOC from Puducherry and is eligible for immediate selection.
While Puducherry failed in the knockouts of both limited-overs competitions, Jackson was the team's second-highest run-scorer in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, with 227 runs in five innings, including a best of 104. He did even better in Mushtaq. Ali T20, top-scoring with 242 runs in five innings, including his maiden century in the format, an unbeaten 106 against Andhra. He credits this stint for his return to the IPL after four years, having been signed by Kolkata Knight Riders for his base price of Rs 20 lakh in the 2021 auction.
The 34-year-old Jackson is among the more proficient batsmen in the domestic circuit, averaging 49.42 in 76 first-class matches, with 19 centuries and 27 half-centuries. He averages 37.42 in 60 List A matches, while in 59 T20s he averages 117.09.
The exclusion of former India pacer (who has retired from all forms of cricket) Jackson and Pankaj Singh leaves a huge void to fill ahead of the Puducherry season. The team has three professional players - the most allowed by any team - in all seasons since entering domestic level in 2018-19, like most teams brought in at home following Lodha's recommendations.