On Friday, former Indian batsman Mohammad Kaif announced his retirement from all forms of competitive cricket. It has been almost 12 years since he has played an international match for India. He has always been regarded as one of the best fielders cricketing fraternity has ever witnessed because of his acrobatic fielding combined with his effective middle-order batting.
The 37-year-old Kaif played 13 Tests and 125 ODIs for India. But, he will always be remembered for his match-winning knock of 87 at the Lord’s during the epic Natwest Trophy final in 2002. It was today itself when registered that memorable knock.
ALSO READ: When Sourav Ganguly’s India won the 2002 NatWest series
In an email to the acting president of CK Khanna and acting secretary Amitabh Chaudhary, Kaif wrote, “I’m writing to you today to announce my retirement from all forms of first-class cricket.” He was a part of the Indian team that reached the World Cup final in South Africa. Along with Yuvraj Singh, Kaif led the India U-19 to their first ever World Cup triumph in the year 2000.
Kaif, who has won the Ranji Trophy for UP, last played first-class cricket for Chattisgarh.
The gun-fielder further added, “I am retiring today as it’s been 16 years since the historic NatWest Trophy win in which I was glad to play my part, and I’d like to remember that as I bow out. I am grateful for the opportunity to have worn the India cap, and to have gone on to play 125 ODIs and 13 Tests for India, and for several other moments.”
An apt day to make this announcement pic.twitter.com/F97vuKaoKA
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) July 13, 2018
During the five years when Kaif was a regular member of the Indian squad, was an India regular, it was his electric reflexes inside the 30-yard circle, especially the cover region, that made him special.
Along with Yuvraj Singh at a point, the gun fielder formed the backbone of Indian fielding during the time Sourav Ganguly led the Indian cricketing renaissance. In his 13 Test appearances, Kaif logged 624 runs at an average of 32.84, including a hundred and three half-centuries.
However, issues with his technique made him vulnerable against the top quality fast bowler, something that was exposed thoroughly during the 2006 tour of South Africa. He never played for India again but remained a quality player in domestic cricket leading UP for many years.
Kaif finished with 7581 first-class runs with 15 centuries across 129 matches. He is already a cricket analyst and a respected Hindi commentator.
