http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mohammad-Kaif-c77040 - Cricket News Update
Indian great Anil Kumble believes that Mohammad Kaif has the potential to fill the all-important number 3 position in the Indian batting lineup after former teammate and legend of the game, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/R-Dravid-c2229 retired in March.
With the impending retirement of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/VVS-Laxman-c2772 expected in near future, the Indian team will have to fill quite a few spots in its top and middle-order. Despite the emergence of new talent, Team India is still looking for a specialist batsman
to play at the crucial top order position.
However, former leg-spinner believes that http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 already has that specialist batsman in Mohammad Kaif, who has been consistently prolific in the domestic cricket.
"I still believe he can add a lot of value to the Test team, especially with http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Rahul-c83321 having retired and a few other seniors not far away from retirement," Kumble told in an interview.
Many experts believe that the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Uttar-Pradesh-c858 batsman has passed his prime and at 31, it will be a huge ask for him to make a comeback amidst abundance of talent waiting to be counted for the national team, but Kumble swept aside these notions and believe
that the batsman has still a lot to offer Indian cricket.
"Kaif is only 31, and I believe it is the time when, as a batsman, you are nearing the peak of your powers. He has been consistent in domestic cricket, had a good last season, and he continues to be a brilliant fielder," Kumble added.
Kaif had a great start to his career when he led India to their first Under-19 World Cup triumph in 2000 and then earned his Test cap at the age of 19 in the same year.
However, the right-hand batsman’s greatest misfortune was that he played in an era of Indian greats, with Tendulkar, Dravid, Laxman, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/V-Sehwag-c2739 all above him in the pecking order, restricting his chances to exhibit his skills and
talent.
Kaif’s last Test was against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760 in 2006, ironically he scored his only Test century, an unbeaten 148 during the second Test at St Lucia, in a series that India clinched 1-0.
Kumble believes the batsman from Allahabad has a great attitude and with his experience, there’s no reason why he shouldn’t be considered for a Test spot.
“As far as Test cricket is concerned, Kaif is still a very good bat. He is solid, has good technique, so why not give him another go?," Kumble concluded.
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