Jaffer didn’t charge fees from champs Vidarbha
MUMBAI: Despite being a professional player, Wasim Jaffer has not charged an extra rupee from Vidarbha Cricket Association for his services during the successful Ranji Trophy campaign.
The former India and Mumbai opener was reciprocating after VCA had honoured his contract despite being unable to play for them last season due to injury.
“I had a contract with them last season (2016-17) where I was to be paid in three instalments -- October, January and March. They wanted me to play a big part in their Ranji campaign. It didn’t happen due to injury but they never hesitated to pay me.
“In October I was unavailable due to injury so they didn’t pay, which was fair. But in January, I was fit but they didn’t use my services (for limited-overs events) but they respected my contract and paid me the full amount.
“I wanted to return the favour and called them (to say) I would play for free this season. It worked out well for both sides,” Jaffer told Hindustan Times on phone. Once out of India reckoning, senior players like Jaffer start playing as professionals for smaller teams, for hefty contracts. He could well have done that this season too. Being the highest run-getter in the four premier domestic championships, the ex-test opener is still in currency despite pushing 40.
As luck would have it, Jaffer won’t be missing out on cash with a well-deserved prize money (~5crore — ~2 crore by BCCI and ~3 crore by VCA) to be distributed among the winning team.
Jaffer, who had already won eight Ranji titles with Mumbai before making it nine out of nine, talked about his decision to pick Vidarbha. “I wanted to go to a place where I had a part to play, make some contribution to their cricket by guiding youngsters. I have made the right decision,” said Jaffer, who hit a crucial halfcentury in the final to keep the Delhi attack at bay in the first innings. He aggregated nearly 600 runs this Ranji season.
“Vidarbha want their youngsters to do well. Their rise started in 2009 when they set up the residential academy; it showed they wanted to improve their cricket.”
Has achieving the status of legend in domestic cricket made up for not scaling higher peaks in international cricket, with his Test career restricted to 31 games.
“I am very grateful for whatever God has given me; not bothered about what I didn’t get. I believe in destiny, you get what you deserve. Don’t have regrets, the respect I get wherever I go is highly satisfying.” RAJKOT: Baroda defeated arch-rivals Mumbai by 13 runs in the West Zone Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 opener at the SCA Stadium . Baroda, who had got the better of Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy group league earlier in the season, once again proved they were the better of the two sides in the shortest version.
Baroda rattled up an imposing score of 210 for 3, powered by half centuries by wicket-keeper and opener Urvil Patel (50 in 29 balls) and captain Deepak Hooda (66 in 39 balls), who struck eight fours and one six.
A breezy 44 not out in 26 balls, studded with three sixes and a four, by Krunal Pandya proved to be the
difference.