Stats: Oldest Indian players to score double century in first-class cricket

Wasim Jaffer still got in him to construct big innings as the 40-year-old amassed a double century in the ongoing Irani Cup match against Rest of India. Playing for this season’s Ranji Champions Vidarbha, Jaffer scored his 53rd first-class century on the first day which was his 49th FC ton on Indian soil. This game was also the 200th FC game in India for Jaffer and celebrated his milestone game by scoring his 8th double century and first since 2009 in this format.

Wasim Jaffer raised his century in 137 balls with a boundary off Jayant Yadav on the opening day of the game. The veteran batsman did slow down after his ton but kept scoring at 60+ SR towards his double. He completed his 200 in 314 deliveries with a quick single in Shahbaz Nadeem’s bowling. Thus, Jaffer became the first player to score a double century against Rest of India in more than 38 years. He is also the 3rd player with a double ton against ROI in the Irani Cup after Gundappa Viswanath and Surinder Amarnath.

Wasim Jaffer’s unbeaten 238 at the Tea break on the second day is the 3rd highest individual score in Irani Cup and the highest against ROI in the tournament. Jaffer also went past 18000 runs in first-class cricket and thus becoming only the 6th Indian to reach the milestone in this innings. By virtue of the double century, Jaffer became the 5th oldest Indian and the oldest in 59 years to score an FC double hundred.

Only three players scored a double ton in the last 20 years in FC cricket after crossing the age of 40. Mark Ramprakash scored two double centuries in the 2010 County Championship for Surrey after turning 40. If Jaffer ends up by converting this innings into a triple century, he will be the oldest Indian and the 6th oldest to score an FC triple hundred. In the 1996/97 season, Jaffer became the 2nd youngest to score a triple century in first-class cricket and the 3rd youngest as on today.

Oldest Indian players to score an FC double century:

FC double tons since 1998 by players after turning 40 years:

(Stats as on March 15, 2018)