'I Was Not Sure It Would Come Off'

Notwithstanding the tremendous confidence and poise heshowed as he guided India to a famous victory at Lord's on Saturday, MohammadKaif confessed neither he nor his partner Yuvraj Singh had actually believedthat they could pull off the run-chase.

In a match-winning partnership, Kaif and Yuvraj Singhadded 121 runs off just 106 deliveries to put India on road to victory after theteam had lost five wickets for 146 while chasing 325 by England in the final ofthe NatWest Trophy tri-nation series.

Kaif went on to play the innings of his life, anunbeaten 75-ball 87 that earned him the man of the match award.

"Why my family, even we in the middle were not sosure if it would come off," said Kaif, presenting a picture of modesty andappearing absolutely bewildered at the bedlam that has followed his success.

That one knock has made Kaif the most sought-afterIndian cricketer at present. Till yesterday he went unnoticed in a team ofsuperstars but today it seems the fans can't have enough of him.

The signs are apparent - it is difficult to get throughto him, he is out of bounds for media and the receptionist at the team hotel isabsolutely tired of receiving calls on Kaif's behalf.

Like the other cricket fans, Kaif's family had also lost all hopes of thecountry pulling off a victory and missed watching live the cricketer's heroics.

Kaif's brother Saif, a Ranji Trophy cricketer, dejectedly switched off thetelevision and went to watch the tear-jerker 'Devdas' at a movie theatre inAllahabad, their native place, alongwith father Tarif and mother Kaiser.

"I switched off the television and we went out to see the movie afterSachin Tendulkar got out and India still needed another 180 runs for avictory," Saif said over telephone from his residence in Allahabad.

"We had lost all hopes when Sachin got out and thought India was headingfor a big defeat," Saif, who plays for Uttar Pradesh, said.

As luck would have it, the family was not destined to watch history unfoldand be a witness to the incredible feat of Kaif. "Someone told us midwaythrough the film that India had won the match and that Kaif had played a greatinnings," he said.

Unable to digest the enormity of the reality, the first thing that the familydid in the morning was to religiously go through the repeat telecast and savourIndia's historic victory.

"The most notable feature of Kaif's innings was that he did not playloose shots like England skipper Nasser Hussain. All his shots were propercricketing shots," the proud brother said of Kaif's unbeaten 75-ball 87-runknock which included two sixes and six fours.

Kaif informed that like everyone else he too was very excited when Indiaapproached the target and did not know whether a direct hit from Nick Knightcould have found him short of the crease when he scampered for a single from thenon-striker's end to tie the scores. The throw missed the stumps and theresultant overthrow saw India complete one of their most famous victories.

"I am not aware if Knight could have got me short of my crease. Thingswere happening too quickly," he said, reliving those tense, final moments.

After securing the victory, Kaif ran towards the far side of the ground withhelmet raised in one hand and bat in the other.

"I didn't run to that end because I was gesturing to the televisioncameras or to my friends sitting there. I was just too excited and didn't knowwhat was happening," he said.

"In the heat of the moment and with my body in motion, I was justrunning all over the place."

The wiry youngster from Uttar Pradesh is now basking in his newly acquiredstar status and said he is still savouring the happy feeling of the winning afinal for the team.

"It is a very special feeling. We hadn't done well in finals and comingand doing it at Lord's makes it a very, very special day in my life," hesaid.

Kaif said at no time during his innings did he face any sledging from theEnglish fielders.

"Indeed, there was no verbal aggression from the England team. The onlyone I remember was from Nasser Hussain, when he was batting against us atChester-le-Street in one of the league games."

Kaif said his mental toughness, which he has displayed time and again incrunch situations, was acquired while playing for Uttar Pradesh, cricketingminnows in the domestic circuit.

"I know not many players from Uttar Pradesh had made a mark on thenational scene and I am determined to set an example for others," said Kaif,who has largely ploughed a lone furrow in his career.

"We don't have many facilities in Uttar Pradesh and it was a matter ofpushing yourself hard all the time to make it to the national scene.

"Till three years ago, I hadn't known what quality training is - I wasjust logging in hours on the field running and just running.

"Now in the last three years, I am aware what kind of training I must doto improve my reflexes - both in batting and fielding. I am aware which part ofmy body needs improvement and to what degree," Kaif said.

The cricketer said this change in his attitude came about when he visited theAustralian Cricket Academy a few seasons ago and later during his stint with theNational Cricket Academy in India.

"I think the visit to Australia was an eye opener. I spoke to Rod Marshand others and watched cricketers train. I was painfully aware I needed to takea different route if I had to make a mark on the national scene," he added.

PTI