Wasim Jaffer throws hat in ring for India men's selector vacancy

Former India batter Wasim Jaffer has applied for the vacant senior men's national selector's post and remains in contention to fill the position left vacant after the BCCI chose not to renew Ajit Agarkar's tenure.

Jaffer made his Test debut at his home ground, the Wankhede Stadium, against South Africa in February 2000. He went on to play 31 Tests for India, scoring 1,944 runs at an average of 34.10, including five centuries and 11 half-centuries. He registered two double centuries in Test cricket, the first of which came against the West Indies in St John's in June 2006.

His second double hundred came against arch-rivals Pakistan at Eden Gardens in Kolkata in November 2007. Jaffer's final Test appearance also came against South Africa, in Kanpur in April 2008.

Jaffer also played two ODIs which came against the Proteas during India's tour of South Africa in 2006. Primarily an opener, Jaffer finished his career as the leading run-getter in Ranji Trophy. Overall, Jaffer amassed 19410 runs in 260 first-class games with the help of 57 centuries and 91 fifties at an average of 50.67. He also had a prolific List A record, having accumulated 4849 runs in 118 games, averaging 44.08, including 10 centuries and 33 fifties.

Jaffer's fate now rests in the hands of the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) comprising former India players Ashok Malhotra and Jatin Paranjape. If picked, Jaffer, in all likelihood, will become the chairman of the All India Senior Men's National Selection Committee as he would have the highest number of Test caps among all the members of the committee.

Former India spinner, Pragyan Ojha, erstwhile left-arm seamer, RP Singh, and ex-wicketkeeper batters, Ajay Ratra and Shiv Sunder Das are the current members of the selection committee. Ojha has the most number of Test appearances (24) among the lot.