At the BCCI Naman Awards 2026, Hardik Pandya, a vital part of Team India, named Wasim Jaffer, the veteran opening batter, as his role model. His decision was surprising, with many expecting him to pick an international icon.
Jaffer expressed his gratitude for Hardik’s choice and shared the story of their first meeting. He recalled meeting for the first time during the 2014-15 Ranji Trophy campaign at Irfan Pathan’s home in Baroda. Hardik had mentioned that he often followed Jaffer’s batting.
“I met him for the first time during the 2014 or 2015 Ranji season when Mumbai played Baroda in Baroda. Irfan, Yusuf, and Munaf were in the opposing team. I didn’t play in that match due to an injury, but I still traveled with the team. It was my last season with Mumbai before I switched to Vidarbha. I remember we went to Irfan’s house for dinner, and that’s when I met Hardik and Krunal for the first time.”
“Irfan introduced him to me saying, ‘Is se milo, ye Hardik hai, bahut jaldi khelne wala hai (Meet him, he is Hardik, he is going to play very soon).’ I believe he was picked by Mumbai Indians the same season. Irfan also mentioned that Hardik is a big fan of mine. Hardik himself said, ‘Main aapki batting bahut dekhta hoon aur mujhe apke khelne ka andaz pasand hai (I watch your batting a lot and I really like the way you play).”
As the top run-scorer in Ranji Trophy history with 12,038 runs, Jaffer has cemented his place among the greats in domestic cricket. In his 31 Test appearances for India, he scored 1,944 runs at an average of 34.10.
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