Mumbai, Dec 20: As Mumbai get set to face Punjab in the last match of the league phase of the Ranji Trophy, home captain Wasim Jaffer believes that although his side have qualified for the knockouts, they cannot not afford a dip in intensity.

The veteran Mumbai player, who had a poor start to the season, is glad to be back amongst the runs. The skipper is the highest run-getter for Mumbai in the Ranji competition and his form will be crucial as the home team head into the knockouts in the absence of Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane.

Excerpts from Jaffer’s media-interaction:

On the match against Punjab

First of all we are happy to be playing at Wankhede [Stadium] after four years. It’s always a good feeling. Punjab is a very good side, very young. They have been doing well and are on the verge of qualifying so we need to respect that. They have good players around and we need to go into [the] quarters with confidence. We have got a few players missing as well but at the same time the youngsters have got the opportunity to play in the Ranji Trophy. They have performed well in domestic club games, company games. Overall it should be a good game.

On Abhishek Nayar’s absence

The form he was in, obviously [we will miss him], but I think it’s better for us to miss him in this game rather than [the] quarters [or the] semifinals, [if we reach] hopefully. Praful [Waghela] has scored a lot of runs; he has got a couple of big hundreds [so] he’ll obviously come into the side with a lot of confidence and [also] all the other guys. Hiken [Shah] has done well [and] we are happy that Sushant [Marathe] has got runs [at the] top of the order. So overall I think it’s looking good. The only worry is the fast bowling. Dhawal [Kulkarni] is also not there. I have not seen many fast bowlers take five wickets, especially for Mumbai. We will be happy if one of the fast bowlers can take a five-for or ten wickets, if possible. Ramesh [Powar] has been doing well. It is the fast bowling [which is a concern]. We need to pick up wickets upfront.

On whether Mumbai would be missing Ajit Agarkar especially in the absence of Zaheer Khan

His experience would have been handy but he is not available for selection. He was not there when Zaheer was there. If he was around, he would have been handy. But [whoever] is available, if those players perform [it] will come in handy. [We’re facing] a similar situation [in our batting]; we don’t have Rohit [Sharma] or Ajinkya [Rahane]. Hiken, Sushant and Nayar, for that matter, have done well. We are looking for the fast bowlers to turn it around for us.

On whether the wicket was likely to help the fast bowlers

Looks like [it]. [The pitch at] Wankhede generally helps fast bowlers, then it plays well for the batsmen and then it spins like in the [recent] Test match [against West Indies]. There will be help for everybody. It is a very sporting track so [we are] expecting [the] same kind of pitch.

On new bowler Balwinder Singh Sandhu

Balwinder is a good bowler [and] he is in good form. He swings the ball; that is his forte and the conditions will probably help him […]. If he plays, it is a good opportunity for him because as a fastbowler in domestic cricket you don’t get wickets like this to bowl [on]. We have played in Lucknow now and we have played all over; [fast bowlers] generally don’t get any help. This is an ideal wicket for a fast bowler.

On his own form going into the knockouts (he has scored a century and a half-century in the two previous games)

[Considering] the players we are missing, [and] I being the senior player, [I am] happy that I have got some runs in the last two innings. As a captain [or] as a batsman [I] would only expect this form to continue in the coming games. The actual tournament starts now with the knockout stages so I would love to score at this time.

On his approach to the knockout stages

In a four-day game, if you secure a first-innings lead, you generally are through because most of the teams don’t go for the outright win. If it’s a five-day game, you have ample time. But in the knockout stages you generally aim for a first-innings lead. That is something we will look at.

On whether the newly renovated Wankhede Stadium still feels like home

But [despite the changes], Wankhede is Wankhede. [Having said that,] everything has changed; there is hardly anything that [has been retained] from the last time [we played here]. The dressing room has been always been better [than those at other venues].

On Harbhajan Singh not being part of the Punjab team

It’s only to our advantage. Yuvi [Yuvraj Singh] and Bhajji missing is only a big help for us.

On Rahul Sharma

We have played him before. He is coming in with a lot of confidence. [He has] played for India and he will enjoy playing on this wicket as well. Overall it will be a good contest.

On having to choose between an extra spinner and an all-rounder

[I’m] not sure about the playing XI but we generally play with five bowlers. At least in the league [stage] [we will] try and stick to that format.

On maintaining the intensity now that Mumbai have qualified for the knockouts

Yes, there is a possibility that we might [win] the No. 1 place [in the league phase]. If we become No. 1, we might play a team from the Plate Group [in the knockouts], so why not? The intensity should not drop at all.