'I don't know how to impress the selectors'

He has abundance of runs in the domestic circuit but nine years since making his debut for India, Wasim Jaffer is yet to cement his place in the national team and the Mumbai opener says he doesn't know how to impress the selectors, who seemed to have overlooked his exploits.

Jaffer made his Test debut for India in February 2000 against South Africa and since then has been on and off the team but everytime he was shown the door, the lanky batsman went back to the domestic circuit and scored runs to strengthen his claim.

"Really, I don't know how to impress the selectors. I have scored over 13,000 runs in first class cricket and 1,260 runs in last Ranji season. I don't think they (selectors) have taken note of it.

"That's all what I can do and will continue to do to make them realise I am still good to play for India," Jaffer, whose team Indian Oil crashed out of the inaugural Sahara BCCI Corporate Cup without playing a single match in Dharamsala, told PTI.

Jaffer, who last played for India in April last year, also expressed his displeasure over the Test batsman tag associated with him, saying it hurts him when people categorise his talent.

"Test cricket is the pinnacle of the game for every player, not just me. But having said that it doesn't mean, I can't score runs in ODIs and T20s. It is wrong to categorise a player. If he is good, he is good in all formats," said Jaffer, who scored 1,944 runs in 31 Tests for India.

"In domestic circuit, I have impressive performances in ODIs. Last year, I played well in the Deodhar Trophy. I even scored a few half centuries in the first edition of the IPL," added Jaffer, who represents Bangalore Royal Challengers in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Jaffer also rubbished the theory that youngsters are much suited to the shorter formats of the game, saying performances of some senior players during IPL II in South Africa has proved that the theory holds no logic.

"Test cricket is the hardest format of the game and if you can play well in it, you can play in all formats," said the 31-year-old batsman. 

"Players like Adam Gilchrist, Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble has proved during the IPL in South Africa that in tough conditions, technique and experience counts the most," he added.

With the ICC pondering over the idea of organising day-night Tests to save it from extinction, Jaffer feels it is actually the 50-over format that is under threat from Twenty20 and not the longer version of the game. 

"T20 is more of entertainment than cricket. I have doubts if the players enjoy playing the version. Test cricket will always stay as the pinnacle of the game. I feel it is the ODIs which has a risk from the T20s," added the Mumbai batsman.

Photograph: Bikash Mohapatra