Wasim Jaffer is the highest run-scorer in Ranji Trophy surpassing Amol Muzumdar and is a right-handed batsman. He became the first batsman to compile 11,000 runs in Ranji Trophy and is also the maximum capped player ever.
India’s domestic cricket is glorified by the presence of Wasim Jaffer who has scored 19,211 runs at a phenomenal average of 50.95 in 256 first-class matches. He has 57 hundreds in first-class and 10 tons in List A. The Mumbai stalwart represented the state from 1996 to 2015 and then featured in Vidarbha’s squad in his later years, has an admirable record in domestic cricket.
Wasim Jaffer represented India in 31 Test matches and scored 1944 runs at a decent average of 34.10 besides having 5 centuries to his credit. But despite scoring huge runs in the domestic circuit he failed to make an international return after getting dropped from the team in 2008. He debuted in 2000 and last played in 2008 in Tests while playing a couple of ODI matches in 2006.
Wasim Jaffer Opens Up:
Wasim Jaffer recently spoke about his splendid batting display at the domestic scene and his non-intention to make a return to the international side despite his staggering numbers in domestic cricket.
“In 2012-13, I was very close to getting selected when Shikhar Dhawan got selected. So, I came very close a couple of times but somehow I missed the bus.” He also added, “The selectors are the best people who can answer that but I definitely kept knocking the door.”
Wasim Jaffer has one of the best ever domestic records in Indian cricket with 57 first-class centuries to his name and the maximum runs 19,211 also behind him as well as appearances in more than 150 matches. But unlike his first-class average of 50.95 he averaged 34.10 and scored only 5 centuries in Test cricket.
He said, “I wasn’t that consistent. If I was, I would have played more than 100 Test matches. I was not that consistent at the international level that is why I got dropped.” He added, “I am famous for my first-class career more than the international cricket that I have played.”
Wasim Jaffer also spoke about his new role after being announced the head coach of Uttarakhand for 2020-21 season. He was also appointed as batting coaches for Bangladesh National team and Kings XI Punjab in IPL.
He said, “It’s quite exciting, something which is very new to me. Even though, I have tried my hand in coaching, but not as a head coach. I have done some batting consultancy and I have played some part in coaching but taking up the whole team is quite exciting and challenging, so I am looking forward to it.”
Wasim Jaffer who played mostly for Mumbai moved to Vidarbha in 2015 and played there till retiring in 2020. He felt at that time in 2015 that he should help Vidharbha as he was out of the reckoning for the national side and approaching the age of 37 when most cricketers take retirement.
He said “I kind of got the signal that youngsters are coming through and the selectors might think about dropping me from some format. It’s good that I decided to move to Vidharbha and the kind of things they went on to achieve which I feel very happy and proud of.”
He also commented about the Indian domestic cricket season and said. “Our domestic structure as compared to the other countries isn’t bad, to be honest. We just need a little bit more continuity as every year we keep on changing the structure.”
He further added, “I feel the season should start in October with the Ranji Trophy. It should be ideally followed by the Irani Trophy and after that, a T20 tournament like Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy can be put in place as it is the time when the auction happens. A number of franchise people can see the tournament and scout new talent. Finally, finish the season with Vijay Hazare Trophy.”
Jaffer also said, “I feel we can get away with Duleep Trophy and it’s about time that we don’t play Duleep Trophy and use that one and a half months to give the players a little more break.”
Wasim Jaffer switched to Vidharbha and the state team won Ranji Trophy in 2018 beating Delhi in the finals with he scoring the winning boundary.
Domestic consistent performer Wasim Jaffer represented India in 31 Tests and scored 1944 runs at an average of 34.11. He also played in 2 ODIs where he scored only 10 runs and 8 IPL matches where he could score 130 runs in total with one-half century, averaging 16.25.
Wasim Jaffer Joins The List Of Cricketers Requesting BCCI To Allow Non-Centrally Contracted Players To Play in Global T20 Leagues
With IPL slated to commence from 19th September in 2020, Wasim Jaffer believes that the IPL is extremely important as it gives cricketers monetary benefit and provides the stage to perform at their best. However, he feels that though there are a lot of positives.Youngsters should keep their prime focus right. They should decide their intention whether they want to play in domestic circuit to feature in Tests or in IPL to feature in white-ball limited-overs if selectors pick them for their performances.
He added, “To pick a player in Test cricket because of his performance in IPL is something which is wrong. I think if he performs well in IPL maybe we can look at him in the white-ball format.”
Wasim Jaffer also feels BCCI should allow its non-centrally contracted players to play outside India in other global T20 leagues to get back into reckoning in limited-overs in the Indian team. Several cricketers like recently retired Suresh Raina, Irfan and Yousuf Pathan have also asked the board to reconsider their decision.
He said, “It completely makes sense to me. If you are not one of the centrally contracted players then one should be allowed. The board can minimize and reduce it to one or two leagues in which the players can participate but not letting any Indian player play anything other than IPL is a bit strict in my opinion.”
Among Indian cricketers, only Yuvraj Singh played in 2019 Canada T20 league and played for Toronto Nationals after retiring from all formats of cricket in 10th June 2019. BCCI allows its cricketers to play in global leagues only after retirement from all formats.