I know most people do not bother about or keep track of the Irani Trophy match anymore. And very few still remember Wasim Jaffer. For those who are feeling lost and immediately trying to change over to Google search, let me remind them that Irani trophy is (or was, as you may feel) the last match of the domestic first-class cricket season. It is held annually between the incumbent Ranji Trophy winners and the Rest of India Team. Nowadays, it is known as Irani Cup.
And Wasim Jaffer who previously played for Mumbai, India and now Vidarbha has scored 250 runs in the ongoing match, against Rest Of India team, that started yesterday. At the age of 40 !! Just to remind that in his first Irani Cup 22 years back, he had scored a Triple century that ushered his arrival. He had a mixed luck in test cricket but nevertheless scored 5 centuries including two doubles in the 31 tests that he played since his debut in 2000. In spite of a great domestic career, he could somehow never capitalise on the chances he got in test cricket and his ODI career was a big flop. But he was never thought to be fit for ODI to start with.
Jaffer has achieved few milestones of domestic cricket already in this unfinished innings. First, he completed his 18,000 runs in first-class cricket. Later he went on to complete his eighth double century in first-class cricket. He has also become the highest run scorer in Irani Cup. Currently unbeaten on 285, he is approaching his triple ton. He is already the highest run-getter in Ranji trophy and the only person who has scored 10000 runs in Ranji Trophy.
Not everybody gets the fame and acclaim that they theoretically deserve. Not all potentials are realised. Just like every Board topper does not become great scientists or doctors. Many fall behind others due to many reasons. Life is like that. But very few can persevere and carry on in the face of odds and challenges. For his commitment to cricket his tenacity and the hard work that he has put in, the motivation that he has shown to don the whites year after year in the grind of domestic cricket, Wasim Jaffer deserves huge respect and a very big applause.
I fervently hope he gets his Triple Century tomorrow to cap his long and illustrious career.
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