Nephew of former Indian opener Wasim Jaffer, Mumbai's Armaan Jaffer has faced a huge blow from Cricket Association of Pondicherry (CAP). Armaan was set to play for the state in the upcoming 2025-26 domestic season. However, his refusal to play in the inter-state tournaments across formats did not sit well with CAP, leading to cancellation of his contract as guest player.
As per a report by TOI, CAP has dropped Armaan and already signed Haryana's spin-bowling all-rounder Jayant Yadav as his replacement. The 35-year-old Yadav is an experienced campaigner with six Test and two ODI caps.
Armaan was informed about the need to play in inter-state pre-season tournaments. However, when it did not happen, he was informed that his name has been withdrawn from the squad for the upcoming domestic season.
Armaan’s numbers for English club this season
As per the English daily, the 26-year-old batter is playing for the Whitson Cricket Club in the Yorkshire Champions League after getting NOC from Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA). He has played in 15 first-class games and scored 769 runs featuring three centuries and a fifty. In a solitary T20 appearance he scored 27 runs whereas in 15 List A games he has managed to score 546 runs at an average of 42. He scored one century and two fifties in the One-Day format.
Selectors reprimand Armaan for taking Pondicherry cricket lightly
"Armaan was asked to report before the Inter-State One-Day Tournament which was hosted by Pondicherry from Aug 10. However, he chose to play for a club in England instead. A few of our other players also play club cricket in England, but they’ve all returned to play in our pre-season tournaments,” a source told TOI.
“All of our selectors are very disappointed with Armaan for his refusal to play in our pre-season tournaments. He has taken Pondicherry cricket very lightly. He doesn't have a great record in the Ranji Trophy, but we placed our faith in his abilities since he's a Mumbai cricketer. We have signed up Jayant Yadav for the upcoming season instead, and Yadav has immediately agreed to play in our ongoing Senior Men's Multi-day Tournament for the Siechem Trophy 2025."
Armaan was ready to play practice games
Armaan's father Kalim Jaffer said that Armaan had already signed up for the English club in February, months before Pondicherry asked him to play pre-season games. They received the mail on July 22. He claimed that Armaan had signed up to play for Pondicherry in May.
Kalim, also said he requested CAP to give him more time and complete his obligations with the English club. He said that Armaan had booked tickets to travel back to India and play Pondicherry's practice games starting August 26. On August 24, his contract was cancelled.
Father feels it is Pondicherry’s loss, not Armaan’s
While there is a risk of Armaan being without a team for the upcoming Indian domestic season, Kalim said that conversations are in place with three to four domestic teams already. In addition, he feels that it is Pondicherry’s loss that an in-form Armaan won’t represent them.