Wasim Jaffer Believes the the biggest Challenge for the Current Generation is to Adapt to all three Formats

Wasim Jaffer was once India’s pillar at the top of the order and was instrumental on India’s away tours. In his early years, a lot was expected out of the right-handed opening batsman, but his inconsistency with the bat did not help his cause in the Indian side for an extended period.

Jaffer made his international Test debut in 2000 against South Africa, but his failure against the likes of Shaun Pollock and Allan Donald resulted in his ouster from the side. He was then recalled to the team on numerous occasions but could make any meaningful impact until 2006 when he scored his first international century against England in Nagpur.

Jaffer eventually played 31 Test scoring 1944 runs at an average of 34.10. The right-handed batsman had five Test centuries to his name.

For almost 20 years, Jaffer played for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy. However, he shifted his base to Vidarbha in 2015 and tasted Ranji Trophy success in the recently concluded Ranji Trophy season.

Jaffer who was more of an old-school kind of a cricketer feels adapting to different formats is challenging for the youngsters.

“The biggest challenge for the current generation of cricketers is to adapt to all the three formats. You have to be a two-dimensional cricketer. Unless you are a great player, you cannot be unidimensional anymore. You cannot just be a one-day or a T20 or a Test cricketer otherwise you will have sit out for half of the season. You have to give the captain the choice as one who can chip in with the bat and the ball too,”   

“Look at the great examples of Kohli, Steve Smith, Warner. You need not play fancy shots all the time. You have to be smart to maintain a decent strike rate. And, I think the current players are pretty smart to understand this,”                               

Jaffer’s also had a piece of advice for the (under-19) World Cup winning squad members,

“They should not bother about anything else. Then, the rest will fall in place. Age is on their side. Aim to play for India. The greatest respect from the world over comes for scoring runs in Test cricket. I am still enjoying my game. I know I am not a fighting fit player. But, I can manage certain things, and I have time and enough motivation to keep going,”

The 39-year old also said scoring runs is the biggest motivation for him to continue playing even at this age,

“When I am fit why not keep playing? I have enough motivation to do so. Yes, I think I have got a lot of age to do things like coaching and commentary at a later stage. Well, a lot of players of my generation have retired. But, I enjoy my cricket, especially with Vidarbha now. There is lot of satisfaction and joy when you see the progress of these players,” 

Jaffer did not charge any money playing Vidarbha in the Ranji Trophy,

“Honestly, money has never dominated my decision making. I came to Vidarbha to enjoy, didn’t want to go to any place for the sake of money. Coming to Vidarbha to create the winning culture was the objective. Winning Ranji for the first time and helping these youngsters gave me great joy. And, that is how I want to enjoy my cricket now,”

“Generally, Indian cricket has progressed very well. Infrastructure in states like Andhra, Kerala and even in Vidarbha has improved dramatically. That is why these teams have picked up so well, produced India players,” 

Here’s the news feed:

Jasprit Bumrah Needs to Skip IPL and Instead Play County Cricket During that Time – Wasim Akram

Proud of You Wasim Jaffer for Keeping Money at Bay and Turning Out for Vidarbha: Gautam Gambhir