The score was 146/5. Sachin Tendulkar, batting at Number 4, had just been dismissed for 14 of 31 balls. India was chasing 325 against England in the 2002 Natwest Trophy finals. Prior to this, India had lost five finals under Sourav Ganguly’s captaincy.
The score was 146/5. Sachin Tendulkar, batting at Number 4, had just been dismissed for 14 of 31 balls. India was chasing 325 against England in the 2002 Natwest Trophy finals. Prior to this, India had lost five finals under Sourav Ganguly’s captaincy.
With Tendulkar’s dismissal, a number of people thought this would be the sixth straight loss. Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad Kaif were not those people. The two youngsters launched a counterattack and brought India to the brink of victory before Yuvraj was dismissed for 69.
Kaif, however, continued to attack the England bowlers and took India across the finish line. At the time, India recorded the highest ODI chase in the history of cricket.
Kaif’s achievements took India to a new age of cricket, where the players believed that they could win despite the odds. While he only played a handful of Tests, he will be remembered for that knock that made India believe.
Kaif announced his retirement from all forms of competitive cricket today, almost 12 years after he last played for the Indian team in which he stood out as much for his acrobatic fielding as for his effective middle-order batting.
"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.
He was a part of the Indian team that reached the World Cup final in South Africa. Along with Yuvraj Singh, Kaif was among the stars to emerge from the U-19 India stable after leading the Colts to a maiden Junior World Cup triumph in 2000.
Kaif, who has won the Ranji Trophy for UP, last played first class cricket for Chattisgarh.
"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," he wrote.
"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."
Watch that memorable innings here
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