Jaffer concerned about lack of emerging talent

Wasim Jaffer, the Mumbai captain, has said he has seen no sign of talent to challenge the current state players despite Mumbai's success in age-group tournaments and the Ranji Trophy this season.

"We won the Under-19 and were the finalists in the Under-22. We reached the semifinals in the Under-16 tourney too. But I didn't see or hear about any big batting talent emerging from there," Jaffer told the Times of India. "In fact, in the finals of the Under-22 tournament against Punjab, we were bowled out for 80 odd which is a worrying sign. We need youngsters to challenge the Ranji Trophy players for their places."

Jaffer was also concerned about the lack of back-up spinners in case either Ramesh Powar or Sairaj Bahutule got injured. "We just don't have anyone of quality as back-up. The search has to begin quickly." Six players in Mumbai's squad are over 30, with wicketkeeper Vinayak Samant being the oldest at 36.

Jaffer said he was a captain who needed his players to respect, not fear, him. "I am a quiet man and I don't like to scream, shout or wave hands frantically. I think I can understand different personalities well. I know what to speak to whom, and how. One can't speak to [Ajit] Agarkar the same way as one does to Dhawal [Kulkarni]." As the captain his next focus was to win the Irani Cup which Mumbai haven't won since 1997-98.