Kaif content with game in an era of legends

Recently retired batsman played alongside Tendulkar, Ganguly and Dravid

Reminiscing about his brief but happening international career, recently retired batsman Mohammad Kaif, who was part of a decorated India side that included legends such as Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid, said he is satisfied with the way he played the game.

Kaif, who last donned the India jersey in 2006 against South Africa, has played 13 Tests and 125 ODI but despite some great performances, including his match-winning knock of 87 at Lord’s during the NatWest Trophy final in 2002, the 37-year-old admitted that many youngsters like him were lost among the greats in the team.

“I am happy the way I played my game. I contributed and created some moments for Indian fans — both overseas as well in India. I am happy with the way I finished my career and ... it was a nice era when I played,” Kaif said.

“I was playing under some of the best players and they all became the legends. When you have so much of competition in the team then it’s also difficult for the selectors to make room for younger players like me.

With the advent of Twenty20 cricket in and around 2007, the game took some serious turns. Several technically sound batsmen failed to keep up with the growing demands of the fastpaced format.

Among them was Kaif, who also conceded that he was more of a Test batsman unlike explosive batters like Yuvraj Singh and others. “I was more suited to Tests, though I didn’t play much of it. With my technique, I was like Gautam Gambhir, Rahul Dravid. I have watched them a lot.”

“I was never like Yuvraj. I like to spend some time at the crease, but I played 125 ODIs,” said Kaif, who scored 2,753 runs, including two hundreds and 17 half-centuries in the shorter version of the game.

Kaif, who plied his trade for Uttar Pradesh in the domestic circuit, however shifted base to Andhra and then to Chhattisgarh during the later stages of his career.