Mohammad Kaif represented India in 125 ODI matches but did not go to distance as far as the longest format is concern. Kaif was a sharp fielder and was known for contributing with his cameo knocks. But he was named in the national team at a time when the bigwigs like Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid were a part of the side.
Kaif was picked up for the Test side at the age of 20 banking on his prolific run in the U-19 World Cup. There was much media hype around him which made it possible for him to find a place in the set-up.
Mohammad Kaif: I was surprised at the Test call-up
Mohammad Kaif said at times selectors are in hurry to pick up players. He also added there was a lot of media hype which made the case stronger for them to pick him. Kaif also recalled scoring two back to back centuries in the Challenger tournament back in the 90s.
“I was surprised at the Test call-up. Since it was India’s first Under-19 World Cup title victory, there was a lot of media hype. There was a Challenger tournament in which most of the Under-19 players got a chance to play. I had two scores in the 90s in back-to-back matches that I played, then I was named in the Indian Test side,” Kaif told the Times of India.
Kaif played 13 matches for India in the longest format, scoring 624 runs, at an average of 32. He had the highest score of an unbeaten 148.