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Kaif plays lead, on & off the field
Mohammad Kaif was only in his maiden first class season when Uttar Pradesh entered the Ranji Trophy final in 1997-98.
Mohammad Kaif was only in his maiden first class season when Uttar Pradesh entered the Ranji Trophy final in 1997-98.
"I remember that final so much," Kaif said on Monday after leading his state to their third final. "Rahul Dravid scored a double hundred and took the game away from us in the final in Bangalore," said Kaif.
Now, having played international cricket for the last six years, Kaif is more mature and has inspired his players enroute to the title round.
"It is not always that UP enter the Ranji final. We want to make it a memorable one and not worry about the opposition. We have to give it our best shot and play well session by session." Kaif ’s leadership qualities came in for praise from BCCI selection committee chairman Kiran More. “When he walked out to bat at number three on Sunday, he was leading by example,” said More, who was in Mumbai to watch the semifinal.
“If Kaif had wished, he could have come down the order and shunned responsibility. But he didn’t. He wants to show the way and make a point by doing it by himself. It comes from his heart. These sorts of things have a big impact on the team,” said More.
More added that even small things like being with the team, practicing with his team-mates after a day’s play were the right qualities of a captain.
“He doesn’t go out with his friends in the evening nor does he sit around and chat. He is always involved in the game and that is a very positive sign.” More also said that it would make sense if the two under-19 World Cuppers from UP, Ravikant Shukla (captain) and legspinner Piyush Chawla played in the Ranji Trophy final starting on January 29.
“The Ranji final is a big occasion, and it is not always that UP enter it. It would make sense if Ravikant and Piyush played the Ranji final rather than play warmup matches in Sri Lanka.
“Anyway, India’s first match is against Namibia on February 6. They still have ample time to reach Lanka after playing the final.”
