Livewire on the field and swiftness between the wickets are two qualities that immediately come to your mind when Mohammed Kaif’s name comes up. The wiry batsman, who made his presence felt in the field with his exceptional skills, who, built innings quietly and steadily with his running between the wickets more than big hits to the fence has quietly achieved a major landmark in India’s domestic cricket by completing 10,000 runs in first-class matches. At the same time, he led debutants Chhattisgarh to a thumping win over Tripura in their first ever Ranji Trophy (2016-17) match.
Speaking about his achievement with the bat in a career spanning over almost two decades, Kaif says, “This is part of the journey; you enjoy the game. For me it is always about playing hard to win the game and along with that if you achieve some milestones, it feels nice.”
It is a philosophical and reflective Kaif that comes across as he looks backs on his career. Now at the later stage in his career, Kaif is looking to give back more to the game. ‘Seva karne ki bhavana se khel raha hoon,’(playing with the intent to serve the game) he says while talking about his adopted state, Chhattisgarh.
The batsman from Uttar Pradesh, who made his first-class debut in 1997-98 has amassed 10,001 runs in from 178 first-class matches, 5791 of which have come in the Ranji Trophy. Asked about his most memorable outings in the domestic circuit in the longest format of the game, Kaif, who made his first-class debut against Bengal in Kolkata recalled, “My hundred against Haryana in the quarter-final in 1998 in my second Ranji Trophy match is the most memorable. I made by debut against Bengal and then in the second game, I was asked to bat at No 7-8. Then one of the openers got injured and couldn’t open the innings. And so I was asked to do that and I made hundred opening the innings. That was very special.
It was under pressure, because playing for UP (where) there were some good players. Mr V Sundarm, the coach was asking players (if they would open) and I took the challenge. I said ‘Sir, batting at No 8 nothing will happen, let me open the innings. I bat at No 3 anyway (usually). He let me bat and I made my maiden century. I had to work hard for my hundred so that made it really memorable.
“Also the century against Karnataka in Meerut (is memorable). It was a difficult pitch to bat on and we were struggling. Our batsmen were struggling to bat on that pitch. There was moisture on the pitch and it was doing a bit for the faster bowlers. I had to work really hard. Then there would be my double hundred in Duleep Trophy game against East Zone in Amritsar - 202 not out (highest score in FC career),” he added.
The efforts and the grit that mark Kaif’s career also led to the international call-up. Asked about the biggest moment of his career, he said, “It has to be (playing) international cricket, because playing for India is always a proud moment. People dream that even if they get to wear the India cap even once that is great and I was lucky to wear it more than once (125 ODIs and 13 Tests). So that has to be the special moment to play for the country,” he says without hesitation.
Speaking about the hallmarks of his cricketing career - running between the wickets and fielding, Kaif said, “I wanted to make a difference. Back then I would see all the other teams’ fielding (remarkably) and I would feel bad that we weren’t doing that. I had the habit of getting up at 5 am in the morning for years because of staying in the hostel and doing a lot of running and spending hours in the field. That helped me maintain fitness, which (in turn) helped me become a good fielder.
“I had a base (background) and a mindset that - if others can do it than why not the Indian players. I was craving, I was hungry and passionate to make a difference. And fielding is one thing that the more you invest you will get the returns. In batting and bowling you need your own day or luck, but in fielding you don’t need any luck if you are prepared to work hard and spend hours (practicing) then it will be rewarded.”
Besides his batting and fielding, Kaif has also captained Uttar Pradesh, Andhra and now leading Chhattisgarh in their foray into first-class cricket. Speaking about his team’s stupendous win against Tripura in Ranchi (a neutral venue), the skipper said, “Winning feels great. We have been working with the team for about two months and it is paying off. Also, we made history by winning (the debut match). Before that I think Punjab had done something like this, winning their debut match (in 1968-69 season). Also the manner in which we won the game – in three days on a normal track; it wasn’t seaming or turning and very happy the way we played and got success in the first game itself.”
Speaking about his adopted state and the task at hand, Kaif said, “I am very excited to lead such a young side, who are playing for the first time (Ranji Trophy). It is an honour that I am playing with a team like this. And at this stage (in the career) you want to give back. Earlier, I served Andhra and now Chhattisgarh and you can make a difference (by doing that). You want to give back to the game, to the young players who are hungry, talented and want to achieve much in life. They have a dream. Now my goal is to give back to the system and the players. So that is the mindset. I captained UP, then I played for Andhra where too there were young players. This team is playing for the first time (in Ranji Trophy) it is a historical moment for them. You see the passion in players’ eyes, the hunger; and so I joined the team, so that I can contribute as a servant of the game.”
