India, March 21 -- Hardik Pandya's connection and appreciation of Wasim Jaffer came to the fore again this week, as the Indian all-rounder named the legendary Indian batter as his idol in the world of cricket at the Naman Awards. Jaffer represented India only 33 times, but it was on the domestic circuit that he made his name, hammering nearly 20,000 First Class runs in a career which lasted 25 years.

Reflecting on his relationship with Hardik, Jaffer cast his mind back to when he met the young Baroda cricketer for the first time, during a Ranji Trophy campaign when Pandya was still an exciting prospect for the future rather than the elite superstar he is now.

Speaking on his Instagram profile, Jaffer said: "The first time I met him was ...