Wasim Jaffer is India’s top batsman when it comes to first-class cricket. He is playing Ranji Trophy for several years and his thrust for runs hasn’t ended yet.
On the verge of turning 40, Jaffer has won his ninth Ranji Trophy with Vidarbha, who outplayed Delhi in season finale of 2017-18.
After claiming the record, Mumbai-born batsman stated that he doesn’t know anything other than cricket and feels very peaceful while he bats on the 22-yard long strip.
In an emotional talk after victory, he said “Nobody probably believed that I’d play another Ranji final but here I am with my ninth Ranji Trophy title.”
Talking about the potential in the team, he quoted “Vidarbha had the talent but I think (coach) Chandrakant Pandit brought a lot of discipline, a lot of strictness, he brought the players out of their comfort zone – which was required I feel. These players have the talent but sometimes you need to push them; they don’t know their limits. So with me around, (bowling coach) Subroto (Banerjee) around and Chandu around, you can see what they can do.”
Talking about his will of playing cricket, Jaffer said “I think just about playing, to be honest. I don’t know anything other than playing cricket. I know I can do a bit of coaching and a bit of commentating, but it won’t give me as much joy.”
“There’s always time to do a lot of these things. As long as I can play and I’m enjoying and helping these players with anything that I can, it gives me a lot of satisfaction,” he explains.
“This is the joy that keeps me going and there’s not many years left in me, but currently I’m enjoying playing and I want to continue as long as I can, till my fitness allows me.”
The Ranji veteran has the most number of runs in the competition after playing its 20 edition. His former teammate Amol Mujumdar, who stands second in the same list, is over 1,500 runs behind him.
Asked whether he wants to extend those numbers, Jaffer replied, “…but you don’t need to play for statistics obviously, you need to enjoy the game. You don’t need to put too much pressure (on yourself) through statistics. As long as you enjoy the sport, as long as you enjoy what you are doing and you are contributing to the team, you don’t need to be a burden on the side. I think that holds a lot more importance than statistics.”
