The Most Underrated Cricketers for India: Wasim Jaffer, Mayank Agarwal, and Samson

Not all cricket legends receive the recognition they deserve within the Indian cricket ecosystem. Three players stand out as particularly undervalued: Wasim Jaffer, Mayank Agarwal, and Samson. Despite their remarkable performances and untapped potential, these cricketers have often been overlooked. In this article, we delve into the achievements and challenges faced by these talented individuals.

Wasim Jaffer: The Unsung Hero of Indian Cricket

Wasim Jaffer, a stalwart of Indian domestic cricket, remains the leading run-scorer in the Ranji Trophy history with 12,038 runs, nearly 3,000 more than the second-highest scorer, Amol Mazumdar. He also holds the all-time century record with 40 centuries to his name, and is the only cricketer to score 1,000-plus runs in a single edition of the tournament on two occasions. His numbers are nothing short of phenomenal, yet his international career is marked by limited opportunities.

Despite his impressive resume, Jaffer managed to earn only 31 Test caps and two ODI appearances for India. This limited exposure can be attributed to various factors, including competition from more established players and the occasional lack of form. In Test cricket, Jaffer scored 1,944 runs at an average of 34.10 with five centuries. However, given the 31 matches spread out over nine years, one cannot fully gauge his true capabilities in a short span. This situation is a far cry from what other first-time Test players experience, highlighting the unique challenges faced by Jaffer.

Mayank Agarwal: A Talented Batter at the Peak of His Game

Mayank Agarwal is another cricketer who has quietly delivered outstanding performances for India, albeit in limited appearances. He debuted for the national team in 2018 and, despite the brief stint, demonstrated remarkable prowess in both Test and white-ball cricket. His Test debut against Australia saw him score an impressive 76 runs, the highest score by an Indian at his debut in Australia.

Agarwal has compiled 1,488 runs from 36 Test innings at an average of 41.33, with four centuries, including two double centuries. His consistency and potential were evident, yet he remains on the sidelines. Comparing his performance to KL Rahul's 2,642 runs at 33.44 and Shubman Gill's 736 runs at 32, one might argue that Agarwal deserves more playing time. He has not been selected for the national team despite his commendable domestic performances, which have often outshined his contemporaries.

Samson: The Young, Talented, and Overlooked Player

Samson, the youngest player on this list, made his international debut in 2015 and has made a name for himself in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Unfortunately, Samson's international career has been marked by sporadic appearances. Despite his consistent domestic performances, he has only managed to represent the national team in 28 matches so far.

Samson was touted as a potential successor to MS Dhoni due to his skill set and performances for Rajasthan Royals. However, he has yet to receive a continuous run in the team. Even with Rishabh Pant sidelined, Samson was not chosen over Ishan Kishan for the upcoming ODI series against Australia. His numbers compared to Pant and Kishan are impressive, yet his lack of recognition or support from the management is evident. Despite this, Samson remains humble and continues to perform at a high level.

In conclusion, these three cricketers, Wasim Jaffer, Mayank Agarwal, and Samson, stand as shining examples of talent that has gone somewhat overlooked in the Indian cricket ecosystem. Their achievements and potential deserve more recognition and a greater opportunity to shine on the international stage.