Wasim Jaffer, born on February 16, 1978 in Mumbai is an Indian right-handed batsman, who also bowls right-arm off break. This opener, who was named Indian Cricketer of the Year in 2000, has represented the Indian national team as well as India A, West Zone, Mumbai and Bangalore Royal Challengers teams at different levels.
The youngest of four siblings, Wasim Jaffer grew up in the Bandra Reclamation slum. On the advice of his elder brother Kalim, he shifted from Bandra Urdu High School to Anjuman Islam School at Victoria Terminus to hone his cricketing skills. At school, Wasim Jaffer had a good playing record, and in one memorable innings, he scored a record 400 not out.
Wasim Jaffer began his international Test career in 2000 for the Indian national team in a home series against South Africa. In May 2002, he played well during the tour of the West Indies, scoring two half-centuries, which helped him retain his place in the team for the tour of England in 2003. During the 2005-06 season, in the home series against England, he made an impressive comeback, scoring his first Test century. In June 2006, Wasim Jaffer made his maiden double ton at the Antigua Recreation Ground and earned the distinction of being the second Indian batsman to score a Test double century in the West Indies.
He made his One Day International (ODI) debut for India on November 22, 2006 against South Africa at Durban and has played two matches at this level.
Having made his First-class debut in the 1996-97 season for Mumbai at the age of 15, and in his second match against Saurashtra, he scored a triple century, which was the highest for the team outside Mumbai. The same season, Wasim Jaffer played his first List A match for the Mumbai team and till 2008, he has played in 63 matches with 2456 runs to his credit and has a highest score of 178*.
On April 16, 2007, Wasim Jaffer made his Twenty20 (T20) debut for Mumbai against Tamil Nadu at Ahmadabad. He joined the Bangalore Royal Challengers team for $1,50,000 and he played in five matches for the team during the 2008 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), making 110 runs, including a half-century.
Wasim Jaffer is an administrative officer at the Indian Oil Corporation and loves listening to old Hindi movie songs and reading about cricketers. He idolizes Vivian Richards, Sachin Tendulkar and Roger Federer.
