Veteran batsman Wasim Jaffer created history as he became the first player in Indian cricket to play 150 matches in Ranji Trophy. The experienced batsman who has been instrumental in taking Vidarbha to glory in the last two seasons is making his 150 Ranji Trophy appearance when he took the field in the Group A opening match against Andhra Pradesh at Vijaywada.
Meanwhile, the veteran batsman is 853 runs short of completing 20,000 runs in first-class cricket. On the other hand, former batsman Davendra Bundela had played 145 Ranji Trophy matches. Furthermore, Amol Muzumdar went on to play 136 matches in the Ranji Trophy. Muzumdar had represented Assam and Mumbai in his illustrious domestic career.
Wasim Jaffer is a domestic giant.
Wasim Jaffer is one of the finest domestic players. The domestic giant has played 253 first-class games, in which he has amassed 19,147 runs at an average of 51.19. He has scored 57 centuries and 88 fifties with 314 being his best score.
The talisman right-hander has represented India in 31 Tests between 2000 and 2008, in which he accumulated 1944 runs which included five centuries and 11 fifties. The experienced campaigner also has a double hundred to his name — the highest score of 212 against West Indies in 2006 at St John’s. He also played two ODIs for India.
Meanwhile, the defending champions Vidarbha was able to skittle out Andra Pradesh for 211 runs after Faiz Fazal won the toss and decided to bowl first. The left-arm spinner Aditya Sarwate was the pick of the bowlers as he took four wickets. Rajneesh Gurbani took three wickets whereas Yash Thakur bagged a brace. Andhra Pradesh skipper Hanuma Vihari top-scored with 83 runs.
On the other hand, Vidarbha added 26 runs before the end of the day’s play. Faiz Fazal and Sanjay Raghunath are unbeaten at 11 and 14 runs respectively. Wasim Jaffer will come to bat at the number three position.