Domestic cricket giant Wasim Jaffer, former India, Mumbai and Vidarbha opener, announced his retirement from all formats of the game on Saturday, March 07.
Jaffer made his first-class debut in the 1996-97 season to play domestic cricket for over 20 years and finished as the most-capped player in the Ranji Trophy. His rich legacy of Ranji Trophy records includes the most caps (156), the most runs (12,038), the most centuries (40), the most catches (200), along with being the highest run-scorer in the Duleep Trophy (2545) and the Irani Cup (1294). He was also the only batsman to cross 1000-runs per Ranji season twice, in 2008-09 and 2018-19.
The 42-year-old also played 31 Tests and two ODIs between 2000-2008 for India. In 31 Tests, he scored 1,944 runs at 34.01 with five centuries and 11 half-centuries, having made his debut at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium in February 2000 against South Africa.
Jaffer, who was known for his resolve and robust batting technique, notched up his highest Test score of 212 against West Indies at St John’s in 2006. In the same year, he played both his ODIs against South Africa during India’s away series in 2006.
Overall, Jaffer played 260 matches in First-Class cricket, in which he scored 19,410 runs at 50.67 with 57 centuries and 91 fifties. His highest score of 314 not out came for Mumbai against Saurashtra in 1996-97 season.
The Mumbaikar also holds the record of scoring most centuries in Ranji Trophy (40), a feat which he achieved after surpassing Delhi’s Ajay Sharma’s tally of 31 tons, playing for Mumbai against Saurashtra in the final of Ranji Trophy 2012-13.
Jaffer played in 10 Ranji Trophy finals and his team emerged winner in each of them. He won eight Ranji titles with Mumbai and two with Vidarbha, after shifting base in 2015-16.
After 25 years of playing professional cricket, time has come to say goodbye. Thank you @BCCI @MumbaiCricAssoc, VCA, my teammates, media and fans. This is my official statement. pic.twitter.com/xP3wL4u70s
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) March 7, 2020
