Former India opener Wasim Jaffer has applied for the vacant senior national selector’s position in men’s cricket, putting himself in contention for a key role in Indian cricket administration.
The position became vacant after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) decided against renewing Ajit Agarkar’s contract. Jaffer’s application makes him a potential candidate for the chairman’s role, subject to selection by the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC).
The 48-year-old former batter represented India in 31 Test matches between 2000 and 2008, scoring 1,944 runs at an average of 34.10. His Test career included five centuries, among them double centuries against the West Indies and Pakistan. Jaffer also played two One-Day Internationals in 2006.
Jaffer’s biggest strength lies in his outstanding record in domestic cricket. He remains the highest run-scorer in Ranji Trophy history and holds the record for the most centuries in the prestigious domestic competition.
Across 260 first-class matches, Jaffer accumulated 19,410 runs and scored 57 centuries at an average of more than 50. He began his senior domestic career with Mumbai in the 1996-97 season before finishing his playing career with Vidarbha.
The Cricket Advisory Committee, comprising Ashok Malhotra and Jatin Paranjape, will be responsible for selecting the new member. If appointed, Jaffer would have the highest number of Test appearances among the candidates being considered for the chairman’s position and would therefore be in line to lead the selection panel.
Jaffer has played seven more Tests than former India spinner Pragyan Ojha, who has 24 Test appearances. The other members of the current selection panel are RP Singh, Ajay Ratra and Shiv Sunder Das.
Jaffer’s extensive domestic cricket experience and impressive first-class record could strengthen his case for the role as the BCCI looks to fill the vacant position on the men’s senior selection committee.