There are something's that Mumbai is synonymous with. From the special vada pav to the never say die spirit of the city, to Wasim Jaffer playing for the Mumbai Ranji trophy team, these are things that you simply couldn't miss but associate with Mumbai for the past two decades.

However, change is the only constant they say. And now, that change will affect the Mumbai Ranji team, with Wasim Jaffer all set to move away from the team and represent Vidarbha in the upcoming season of the Ranji trophy.

In a tiny corner room of Khar Gymkhana on Friday, the 37-year-old right-hander officially announced that he was cutting his ties with Mumbai cricket, and that he was moving on. Come this October, fans will no longer get to see the mesmerising cover drives or the leg flicks this Mumbaikar is traditionally associated with. The ironic thing about his departure is that he has well acknowledged the reason for his departure: change.

Times have changed today. In the late nineties, the Indian cricket team typically had a pool of only 25-30 players who would be selected for any tour. However, with the increase in facilities and a plethora of cricket tournaments, a greater number of players have emerged competing for the top most honors. And Jaffer acknowledged this in the press conference, stating that these young players need to be given the right platform to represent themselves.

“I didn’t want to leave then. But at this stage of my career I will not like a talented youngster to sit out because of me,” he stated in his final press conference before representing Vidarbha as a Ranji trophy player. Jaffer also reiterated the fact that times have changed and that the traditional approach of using test match technique for batting no longer is the only effective technique with batsman experimenting with shots and adding a plethora of shots to their armory to counter attack bowlers.

Jaffer is also extremely down to earth and realistic about his future prospects. He acknowledges the fact that he no longer is in top shape like he used to be during his initial years. However, this, he stated should not be a hindrance for him to score big in the upcoming season for vidarbha.

Jaffer struck an emotional chord with supporters by stating that no matter where he plies his trade, he will always be known as a Mumbai player in the subsequent years to come. He is equally honest to accept the fact that his contribution would always get eclipsed by the achievements of his other more high-profile teammates. In many ways, Jaffer leaves behind a legacy, a legacy which has been somewhat forgotten due to the accomplishments of a certain Sachin Tendulkar from the Mumbai Ranji team.