Former Indian captain and coach Anil Kumble has extended his support for his former squad member Wasim Jaffer after the Cricket Association of Uttarakhand (CAU) alleged that he had tried to force religion-based selections as the state team’s coach. Jaffer, on Wednesday, put up a tweet clarifying the allegations to which former India players Irfan Pathan, Manoj Tiwary, and Dodda Ganesh also replied to in support.
A day after resigning as Uttarakhand head coach because of “interference in team selection”, Jaffer denied allegations – reportedly levelled against him by senior officials of CAU – that he was creating a communal divide in the dressing room.
“With you Wasim,” Kumble, who also currently heads the ICC’s cricket committee, tweeted. “Did the right thing. Unfortunately it’s the players who’ll miss your mentorship.”
Ganesh tweeted: “@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.”
Jaffer, a domestic stalwart who played 31 Tests for India, called a virtual media briefing on his own on Wednesday where he explained that he was only saying that the Uttarakhand team “shouldn’t have a religious slogan” since the team has players from different religions.
