'I regret it' - Wasim Jaffer opens up on not getting long rope in international cricket

Legendary India batter Wasim Jaffer has opened up about not having a long rope in international cricket. The 45-year-old has played for the Indian national team for a short stretch of time from 2000 to 2008. The right-handed batter admitted that he wished he had played for India after 2008.

The 45-year-old also said that he had spoken with some of the selectors and was astonished by their response, claiming that they were looking beyond him. He went on to say that it was even more surprising that he became Mumbai's captain in the same year and scored 1260 runs in the Ranji Trophy.

"Yes, I regret it, obviously, that after 2008 I wasn't even considered. I remember talking to a few selectors and I got this message that we are looking beyond you. I was very surprised because 30-31 is when a batter becomes mature," Jaffer said.

"It was even more surprising given the fact that I became Mumbai’s captain in the very same year and we became back-to-back champions. That year I made 1260 runs in Ranji Trophy. That entire season, actually I made 2000 runs. In 2012 again I made a lot of runs," Jaffer said on Sports Launchpad's YouTube channel.

I made 80 and 100 not out, but even then I wasn't selected: Jaffer

Furthermore,  Wasim Jaffer also reflected on the Irani Trophy game he played in 2012. Notably, he scored an 80 and an unbeaten 100. In the same vein, he believes that it was his last chance because Shikhar Dhawan, who played alongside him in the same match, was selected for the national team. 

"I remember an Irani Trophy match in 2012 in which Shikhar Dhawan, Murali Vijay and I played. In that match, I made 80 and 100 not out, but even then I wasn't selected and I think that was the last chance because after that Shikhar was selected and then he made 118 in his first Test match, and it was no looking back," the former opener continued. 

"So yeah, obviously there is regret, but I am a believer in destiny. You get only as much as it’s written in destiny. From where I started, if I say that I haven't gotten anything, that won’t be fair. However much I have got, I have to be thankful for that," Jaffer concluded.