Amol Muzumdar comes out to defend Wasim Jaffer after communal allegations

Amol Muzumdar (left) with Wasim Jaffer at the Wankhede Stadium after the latter surpassed his Ranji Trophy record. Pic/Atul Kamble

Ranji Trophy's second highest run-getter Amol Muzumdar came out in support of the tournament's top run-scorer Wasim Jaffer (12,038 runs) after allegations surfaced against the former India opener for backing religion-based selections and inviting maulvis to the dressing room during his short stint as Uttarakhand coach.
Jaffer quashed all allegations levelled by Cricket Association Uttarakhand secretary Mahim Verma.

Amol Muzumdar, who scored 9,205 runs in the Ranji Trophy, defended his former Mumbai teammate: "Of course not," was Muzumdar's reply when asked whether Jaffer has been projected correctly. "While playing, we never cared what the name was. As long as the runs were there, it didn't matter. We were never taught in that fashion...which player hails from what background."

‘Shouldn't have clarified'

Muzumdar said Jaffer has been a role model to many players. "I don't think he should have clarified anything because we all know what he is. He need not explain. I have played with him for so many years and he has been a fantastic servant of the game. He played the game in the right spirit," said Muzumdar.

Meanwhile, legendary leg-spinner and former India captain Anil Kumble, who worked closely with Jaffer at Kings XI Punjab in the last IPL, tweeted: "With you Wasim. Did the right thing. Unfortunately, it's the players who'll miss your mentor ship."

Former India seamer Irfan Pathan expressed his disappointment that Jaffer had to clarify things. "Unfortunate that you have to explain this," he tweeted.

India and Bengal batsman Manoj Tiwary urged Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat to intervene. "I would request the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand (BJP) Mr.Trivendra Singh Rawat 2 intervene immediately and take note of the issue in which our National hero Wasim bhai was branded as communal in the Cricket Association nd take necessary action.Time 2 Set an example #WasimJaffer," he tweeted.

‘You're a gem of a cricketer'

Ex-India pacer Dodda Ganesh wrote: "Dear @WasimJaffer14, you've been a great ambassador of the game and represented India with pride. Cannot believe that this could happen to someone like you. You're a gem of a cricketer and human, brother. Cricket world knows you and your integrity."