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UP and down, Kaif feels at home in town!
UTTAR PRADESH?S key cricketer Kaif really went about on the town eating delicious kebabs, meeting with old friends, giving autographs with open heart and sharing his journey of success with his fans and friends. Team India?s Mohd Kaif, who is playing his maiden Ranji Trophy match of the season for his home State, finds himself at home. Giving not much thought to his security, which he owns while playing for Team India, Kaif has proved that he is a son of U.P.and all his fans and lovers are like his family.
UTTAR PRADESH’S key cricketer Kaif really went about on the town eating delicious kebabs, meeting with old friends, giving autographs with open heart and sharing his journey of success with his fans and friends.
Team India’s Mohd Kaif, who is playing his maiden Ranji Trophy match of the season for his home State, finds himself at home.
Giving not much thought to his security, which he owns while playing for Team India, Kaif has proved that he is a son of Uttar Pradesh and all his fans and lovers are like his family.
“It’s a great home coming,” said Kaif in an exclusive chat with Lucknow Live on Wednesday, adding, “The kind of love and affection I get here are beyond imagination.”
“I feel myself proud to be a pick from UP and I enjoy this status whenever I get even a little chance,” said Kaif, who has become a role model for the young cricketers of the State.
After making his international debut in 2000 against South Africa in a Test match, Mohd Kaif’s last match in home State was Deodhar Trophy final in 2001.
The match went into history books as the encounter between Central Zone and South Zone ended in a tie when Venkatpathy Raju struck a smacking six off Mohd Kaif.
And since then the torch bearer of UP cricket in Team India didn’t get a chance to play in his home State. The excitement of playing at home can be seen on the face of Kaif during the on going Ranji Trophy match between UP and Hyderabad, where Kaif is leading the side for the first time in the season.
“I never set a goal in my life as I try to concentrate on my current assignment, and I am happy that I am doing justice to my duty here as captain of the UP team,” said Kaif, adding, “It would be great, if we win the match here.”
Expressing a bit disappointment for missing the Team India bus for the Test Series against Pakistan, Kaif said that he would try to make use of the Ranji Trophy match against Hyderabad and Andhra Pradesh to establish himself as a good batsmen of innings cricket too.
“Right now, I am not at all planning anything about the one-day series in Pakistan. But I would be concentrating more on my performance there instead of preparing a plan against the Pakistani bowlers,” said Kaif, who was named man-of-the-match in the NatWest Trophy final in 2002 against England at Lords.
Terming the year 2005 quite good for his career as he played his 100th ODI, Kaif praised coach Team India coach Greg Chappell for making him mentally strong.
“He (Greg) always teaches you simple methods to make you strong even in a tense situation, and now I find the Team India very success in comparison to the past.”
