Mohammad Kaif announced his retirement form all forms of cricket with immediate effect. The middle order batsman played his last ODI in 2006 against South Africa. He continued playing domestic cricket with Uttar Pradesh and also featured in the IPL. He played for Rajasthan Royals, Kings XI Punjab and Royal Challengers Bangalore but could never cement his position back into the Indian team.
Mohammad Kaif made news after leading India’s Under 19 team to World Cup glory in 2000 and was soon called up to play for team India. Majorly he is known for his mesmerising match winning innings in the Natwest finals that is still afresh in minds of people. He crushed the same opposition in the Champions Trophy to follow. He also went onto score his maiden Test century against West Indies soon after the eye catching knocks against England.
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“I’m writing to you today to announce my retirement from all forms of first-class cricket,” Kaif intimated acting president CK Khanna and acting secretary Amitabh Chaudhary in an email.
“I am retiring today as it’s been 16 years since the historic NatWest Trophy win in which I was glad to play my part, and I’d like to remember that as I bow out. I am grateful for the opportunity to have worn the India cap, and to have gone on to play 125 ODIs and 13 Tests for India, and for several other moments.”, he wrote.
Mohammad Kaif also entered politics but the profession didn’t bring much success to the 2002 megastar, who gave Indian cricket a memorable moment by achieving something that was highly impossible back then. He turned towards what he loved the most and is seen as a regular expert and cricket commentator nowadays.
He said that he will now use the chance to spend time with his two children, Kabir and Eva.