Leading Mumbai to the Ranji Trophy semifinals and becoming the highest run-getter in the tournament’s history may not signify a fruitful season for Wasim Jaffer.Under obvious pressure after his side’s semifinal loss to Tamil Nadu, Jaffer has decided to step down as captain.
DNA has learnt that Jaffer has already intimated Mumbai Cricket Association’s (MCA) top brass about the decision. He is likely to make it official in a day or two.
It is understood that he didn’t want to be under trail as skipper. “Jaffer wasn’t told to give up the captaincy, but the vibes he has been getting weren’t encouraging either. He thought Mumbai would be served better with a change of guard,” a senior Mumbai cricketer said. MCA officials chose to be tight-lipped on the matter. At this point, it is not known whether he’ll be asked to reconsider his decision.
The year did weigh Jaffer down. His own form had been scratchy; and his reluctance to open did not go down well with the men who matter.Being left out of the West Zone Duleep Trophy squad convinced him that he must reinvent himself as a batsman.
Off the field, too, he found the going tough. The unsavoury episode involving Ajit Agarkar and Zaheer Khan doesn’t warrant retelling. Abhishek Nayar has emerged as the frontrunner for the captaincy. Nayar is perceived as a motivator and his known to get the best out of his colleagues without being imposing.
Meanwhile, MCA’s office-bearers attended a special meeting to assess the team’s Ranji performance. Chief selector Milind Rege has suggested that the time available must be used to good advantage. To start with, the committee will identify around six quality players from the Mumbai under-19 team that won the Cooch Behar Trophy on Wednesday.
The Cricket Improvement Committee (CIC) may be asked to appoint a fast bowling coach soon
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