5 Domestic stars who never got their deserved India cap

India’s domestic circuit has always been a crucible of opportunity for every legend who dons the blue. There are literally dozens of them who sweat one season after another and never wear that India cap. Getting a national call-up is a big deal and especially when the country is so passionate about the sport and has a population of more than a billion. It becomes a huge privilege to don the National Jersey. 

Just being great local heroes isn’t enough. From generation to generation, sometimes established stars or selection philosophies marooned certain players. Their tales are a reminder that the leap to international cricket requires not just ability, but timing and perhaps a touch of fortune too. So here are five such superstars, all Ranji Trophy and other domestic competition giants, who, while piling up runs or wickets, slipped through the national selectors’ cracks.

1. Amol Muzumdar 

Amol Muzumdar, who broke into the Mumbai team in 1993–94, piled up 11,167 first‑class runs at 48.13 with 30 centuries, which is more than any other Indian who failed to represent his country. His debut Ranji season included an undefeated 260 in a quarter-final, and he led Mumbai to a Ranji title in 2007. 

With Tendulkar, Dravid, Ganguly and Laxman cementing middle‑order berths, his consistent run-making was overlooked. Ravi Shastri would later lament that Muzumdar should have been given a Test jersey.

2. Priyank Panchal

Gujarat opener from 2008, Priyank Panchal scored 8,856 first-class runs in 127 games at 45.18, with a best of 314*. He topped the Ranji averages in the 2019–20 season, when the Test opener vacancy arose time and again. However, selectors preferred established names. 

He had been part of India’s squad as far back as February 2022 but never took the field. ‘He’s one of the finest first‑class openers of his generation,’ cricket experts noted. At 33, Panchal hung up his boots in May 2025 without an international cap.

3. Amarjeet Kaypee

Haryana’s Amarjeet Kaypee collected 7,894 Ranji runs at 52.27 over a career spanning the 1980s and early 90s that included 27 centuries and an unprecedented two 150+ scores in a single match. 

Practical style and back-to-back 800+ run seasons did nothing to crack the selectors’ stalemate. His career intersected with Tendulkar, Azharuddin, Dravid and Ganguly. Yet despite being one of India’s most showery batsmen, Kaypee was never even offered a national call‑up.

4. Rajinder Goel

Left-arm spinner Rajinder Goel has taken an amazing number of 637 Ranji wickets at an average of 17.28 in 123 matches, which is also the most for any player. His career (1958–59 to 1984–85) overlapped India’s famed spin quartet—Bedi, Prasanna, Venkataraghavan and Chandrasekhar, who blocked his path. 

Goel came close in an unofficial Test against Ceylon in 1964–65, but never won a full cap. He received the BCCI’s C. K. Nayudu Award for a career that deserved far, far more.

5. Jalaj Sahai Saxena

Jalaj Saxena has been one of India’s more consistent domestic stalwarts. Since his 2005 debut, he’s scored 7,060 first‑class runs at 33.77 and taken 484 wickets at 25.48. He’s headed the Ranji wicket lists and glimmered for India A. 

At 38, Saxena remains uncapped at the senior level. His case shows how even bona fide all‑rounders can be left out in the cold when selectors go specialist hunting.

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