Wasim Jaffer names best bowlers he faced, shares his greatest memory, and picks his favorite match
Published - 11 Aug 2024, 08:12 PM | Updated - 24 Aug 2024, 07:40 AM
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Former India opener Wasim Jaffer has picked Dale Steyn and Shane Warne as the best fast bowler and the best spinner ever to bowl to him. Jaffer revealed this during the #AskWasim segment on X (formerly Twitter). Both Dale Steyn and Shane Warne are two of the greatest bowlers of their era.
Steyn was a rare fast bowler who had an excellent record even in the subcontinent conditions. His variety of skills made him such an outstanding bowler in Test cricket. The South African speedster had the skills to adapt to various pitches which made him lethal in all the conditions.
The right-arm fast bowler picked up 439 wickets in 93 Tests for South Africa at an average of 22.95. He was the most complete fast bowler during his prime, especially in red-ball cricket.
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Wasim Jaffer picks the best fast bowler and the best spinner
Dale Steyn. Shane Warne. https://t.co/Om2bxwhD6l
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) August 11, 2024
On the other hand, Shane Warne is widely regarded as one of the best spin bowlers to have ever played the game. Warne has picked up 708 wickets in 145 Tests during his career at an average of 25.41.
The legspinner won Australia a no. of games and bowled some breathtaking spells during his career. Unfortunately, he died on March 4, 2022 in Thailand.
Wasim Jaffer names the best Test and the best ODI
Wasim Jaffer was then asked about the best Test and ODI matches that he has ever seen till date. The former India opener chose the Gabba Test between India and Australia in the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar series as the best Test match ever. In terms of ODIs, he chose the famous ODI way back in 2006 when South Africa chased down 434 against Australia with 1 wicket remaining.
"Two that immediately come to mind are the Gabba Test and when SA chased 434 vs Aus in that famous ODI," Jaffer posted on X.
Two that immediately come to mind are the Gabba Test and when SA chased 434 vs Aus in that famous ODI. https://t.co/wvhE3KOgSN
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) August 11, 2024
The Gabba Test was a historic occasion for Team India as they defeated Australia to win the series 2-1. It was the first time in 32 years that Australia had lost a Test match at Gabba, Brisbane. Breaching Australia's fortress was a monumental feat for a young Indian team that was missing its key players due to injuries.
Wasim Jafer picks his greatest memory
Jaffer was further asked about the greatest memory from his playing days. He chose India's famous Test series win in England in 2007 as his greatest memory. However, he also added the double century against Pakistan at Eden Gardens as one of the best memories.
"Hard to chose. But Test series win in England in 2007 has to be it. From an individual perspective, double hundred vs Pakistan at Eden Gardens," Jaffer posted on X.
Hard to chose. But the Test series win in England in 2007 has to be it. From an individual perspective, double hundred vs Pakistan at Eden Gardens. https://t.co/nGlYtVnwpE
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) August 11, 2024
In 2007, India created history by defeating England 1-0 in the three-match Test series. The first Test at Lord's ended in a draw but India shocked England by winning the next Test at Nottingham. The third Test at The Oval also ended in a draw as Anil Kumble scored the only hundred of his Test career. The series win was one of the best moments of Rahul Dravid's tenure as India's captain.
