Like Srivastava, Mumbai opener Ajinkya Rahane has been involved in a couple of big partnerships with captain Jaffer. And Rahane has a similar anecdote ready. “He knows how to get the best out of a player. Even if someone drops a catch, he doesn’t make a scene on the field,” he says. Once when Rahane returned to the dressing room after a big hundred, Jaffer with his half-smile told him ‘Bradman jaisa khelta hai’. Rahane’s face never had a broader smile.

Even players with international experience in the UP and Mumbai sides rave about their skippers. Rohit Sharma has brushed shoulders with the best in the business in his short career but Jaffer is special to him. “There is no doubt that he is a good captain but he is also a great person. The best part about him is he is very relaxed and behaves like any other member of the team. He motivates and jokes around at the same time,” he says.

What Jaffer is to Sharma, Kaif is to UP’s pace spearhead Praveen Kumar. “I made my debut with Kaif at the helm. He saw the potential in me and gave me the new ball ahead of other seniors in the side. When one knows that the captain trusts you, there is no problem in giving 200 per cent on the field,” he says.

Interestingly, both Jaffer and Kaif are in the same boat when it comes to their international careers. Once regulars in Team India, both are trying to make a comeback. But it hasn’t made either of them compromise on his leadership role.