Jaffer leaves Mumbai for Vidarbha

Wasim Jaffer, the highest individual run-getter in the Ranji Trophy, has switched to Vidarbha from his home team Mumbai. Jaffer, who will replace Rakesh Dhurv, would thus join S Badrinath and Karnataka's Ganesh Satish to complete a solid line-up of Vidarbha's professionals.

"Wasim will obviously bring in loads of experience and expertise. His presence will not only be handy in the batting department but also with regard to helping young batsmen from Vidarbha hone their skills and take their game to the next level," Prakash Dixit, the president of the Vidarbha Cricket Association president, told ESPNcricinfo.

Jaffer, who is currently overseas, said he will speak about his move only after returning to India. After an illustrious 19-year stint in first-class cricket with Mumbai, Jaffer is 241 runs short of becoming the first batsman to score 10,000 runs in the Ranji Trophy.

Jaffer will be reunited with Paras Mhambrey, the former Mumbai and India pacer who took over as Vidarbha coach last year. Mhambrey's move to rope in three experienced professionals worked wonders as Vidarbha finished third in Group B last season and qualified for the Ranji knockouts after almost two decades.

Since a domestic team can sign a maximum of just three players on its roster, Vidarbha decided to release Dhurv, the left-arm spinner, once Jaffer agreed to come on board.

Jaffer's decision comes on the back of his most forgettable seasons in first-class cricket, mainly due to the multiple injuries he suffered during Mumbai's Ranji campaign. He scored just 22 runs from the two games he played. Despite his finger injuries, Jaffer remained with the squad for most of the season and mentored a young Mumbai batting line-up.

Jaffer's move will result in Mumbai being forced to field one of its least experienced squads in the forthcoming domestic season. Last season, Jaffer was the lone player in Mumbai's ranks with more than a decade's experience in first-class cricket.

Jaffer had been one of the most sought-after professional signings ever since he lost his place as India's opener towards the end of the last decade. He had been approached by multiple teams even when he was leading Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy, but had decided to stick with his alma mater.