Emotional Wasim Jaffer leaves Mumbai with sorrow all-around

Jaffer has represented India 31 times in Test matches

Former Mumbai's opener Wasim Jaffer said, “I am not Sachin Tendulkar,” when one journalist asked him if the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) could've been a little more courteous in organising a farewell to honour the veteran batsman, reports TOI.

Jaffer switched to Vidarbha from his home team Mumbai after the previous domestic season. He is the highest individual run-getter (10056 runs) in the Ranji Trophy.

Speaking on the Eid occasion, the 37-year-old summed up his great career with Mumbai by saying that even if he plays for any other team, he'll always be remember as Mumbai's player only.

"It's very different feeling to leave Mumbai after 19 years. It's a long time, almost two decades. It's a difficult situation and decision for me. I'll be known as a Mumbai player, no matter where I play," he said.

He added that he don't want a youngster to sit out of team because of him. Jaffer elaborated further on his decision to move from Mumbai.

"Since 2008, I was getting a lot of offers. I thought this was a good time. There are a lot of youngsters coming through. At this stage of my career, I won't like a good youngster to sit out because me.

"It's time to move on. I've got a few seasons left in me. I want to challenge myself in different avenues. That's what made me take this decision," said Jaffer.

The right-handed batsman played 31 Test matches for team India where he has scored 1944 runs at a moderate average of 34.10. Jaffer couldn't do much previous season because of the injury and according to him Mumbai did well without him.

"Since 2008, when I was dropped (from the Indian team), I was getting a lot of tempting offers, but I stuck to Mumbai. However in the twilight of my career, I feel this is a good time for the team to rebuild and for me to take up a new challenge as well.

“Sometimes when you play for your home state, you take things for granted, so I needed some motivation as well. Last year, I was out injured, and I saw the team do well without me. That probably made me take this decision.

"I am convinced that this team has a lot of potential. You can see last year's result. They played the Ranji semifinal without any star players," he concluded.

Jaffer’s new team Vidarbha will be starting off their season in a home match against Odisha in the 2015-16 Ranji Trophy season.