Ranji Trophy: Wasim Jaffer is ours, says Vidarbha

Mumbai cricket stalwart Wasim Jaffer

Mumbai cricket stalwart Wasim Jaffer is set to play for Vidarbha as a professional in the next Ranji Trophy season, thus ending his 19-year illustrious stint with Mumbai.


Mumbai cricket stalwart Wasim Jaffer. Pic/Suresh KK

Jaffer, who is 241 runs short from becoming the first batsman to score 10,000 runs in the Ranji Trophy, was Mumbai batting's mainstay, especially with the departures of several senior players in the last couple of years. This development will come as a huge setback for Mumbai, who are now woefully short of experienced campaigners in their ranks.

At Vidarbha, Jaffer will join hands with his former Mumbai teammate Paras Mhambrey, who took over as coach last season. Jaffer (37) had a few offers in the last season as well, but decided to stay with Mumbai. He could play only a couple of matches after a thumb injury ruled him out for the season. He, however, ensured he was in the dressing room for Mumbai's home matches to mentor the youngsters.

Vidarbha Cricket Association's Joint Secretary Sharad Padhye confirmed that the elegant batsman will be joining them. "Our Cricket Administration and Development Committee which is headed by Adwait Manohar (son of former BCCI chief Shashank Manohar) were in talks with him. He confirmed that he will join us only a couple of days ago," Padhye told mid-day yesterday.

Meanwhile, Mumbai Cricket Association's Joint Secretary Dr PV Shetty said Jaffer, who is currently in the UK for league cricket, has not intimated or applied for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) yet. "This is news to us. I am not aware of any such development. I haven't received any application for an NOC so far," said Shetty.