Wasim Jaffer: the endless battles

Like a coin that has two sides, Mumbai cricket has seen the ups and downs through its cricketing sons. One cannot deny the fact that they are blessed to have both the Little Masters hailing from their state. A team filled with unbelievable potential, Mumbai has seldom looked ordinary at the first class level. We could call them the Manchester United of Indian domestic cricket for the kind of consistency in which they have stayed at the top.

File Photo: Wasim Jaffer

People from Mumbai have unconditional love for the game. Victory means a lot to them. Mumbai’s cricket structure is one to be respected and revered for consistently manufacturing players of great calibre. Right from Vijay Merchant to Ajinkya Rahane, Mumbai team has consistently found players worthy to represent the nation. It is said that it is easier to get into the Indian side rather than Mumbai’s.

The forty-time Ranji trophy champions though have an unresolved qualm throughout the years for letting talents dissipate. If Amol Muzumdar with all his potential and experience is left to sweep the domestic circuit, Wasim Jaffer has been a cruel victim of the modern age state politics.

It is a sad week to perceive the repudiation of yet another talent from Mumbai.

The journey has not ceased for the warhorse. A melancholy of dejection was on display on the fifth and final day of Irani trophy when the Dravid-model batsman from Mumbai struck yet another century to save the match. A silent and desperate cry from the man on his way to the gallows of retirement, and yet, the bosses haven’t budged. In spite of all the politics that has crept around him, he carries on in the same inimitable fashion in which he has played through the years.

Wasim Jaffer is a cruel victim of fate, or rather time, considering that he has run out of it through no fault of his. His predicament is same as that of Michael Hussey’s when he was at the crossroads of realizing that he might never play for Australia. Jaffer did, and his records were adequate to hold him in good stead for future matches. But a freak injury and the resurgence of Gautam Gambhir in the shorter formats ensured that Jaffer is still treating his wounds.

What followed was a nightmare, one which Wasim Jaffer would have never imagined. Gambhir played magnificently and cemented his place on the side pushing Jaffer out once and for ever. The board was indifferent to Jaffer’s exploits in the domestic circuit and when things looked good for him to be named as the reserve opener, the selectors went for a rookie Murali Vijay.

Jaffer took it in his stride and scored runs with a resolve of steel trying to break the door of opportunity. Alas, the selectors considered him over and he was left to entertain the domestic crowd. One look at Jaffer and you could relate him to Hashim Amla and his career; having been dropped from the team owing to his tilting form, Amla made a spectacular comeback owing to a strong domestic season. But, five excellent seasons later, Jaffer is still stranded at the same junction where he disembarked.

Indian cricket and its cruel nature to talent is a talking point for many cricket pundits having had to restrict some domestic stalwarts including Amol Muzumdar and Subramaniam Badrinath to ply their trade where the results are inconsequential. Cricket is a religion. It is because of the immense love and devotion that people show towards the game. And this love has been the accelerating force for them to keep moving, taking victory and defeat in their stride and put the disappointments behind them.

“I came to know when I came in for tea. I was batting on 74 and well, what could I do about it? So I went out and got my century. I can only do what I have been doing — score runs and hope that someday I will get that call up into the national squad. If I have to do it with the sheer weight of runs, I will do it.” – Wasim Jaffer

His father was on his deathbed; it would have pained him and yet he went about scoring runs in the knock outs and the finals and made sure that Mumbai raised the cup. He was an obedient son of cricket. The above statement came from a man who was dejected beyond imagination and it was hard to see him going about his job even after the news. A gloomy feeling engulfed us, feeling pity for this man who keeps waiting and it was hard to imagine how he would have been feeling from the inside. The fact that he kept his dignity and poise even after hearing the news and he went on to bat like nothing happened is a testament to his grit and patience, seeing Suresh Raina’s reaction after being dropped from the team only a few months back.

He might play in the future or not, but when he retires he can hold his head up and say “I gave my best!” without any fear. The classic shots, the cover drives and the flicks which seems like he had inherited from Gundappa Vishwanath himself would be worthy mention in his profile and if at all he does get a chance to represent India in the future, his career would be fulfilled and India would have found out what it was missing all these years.

He would not break down, sit down and think about lost chances, but would fight till it lasts, till it is time to put the weapons downs. He would come back next season with renewed hope and energy and it would be scary for his opponents for his resilience is one of the best.

He will not quit!