Kaif replaces injured Dravid at Sharjah

Uttar Pradesh middle order batsman Mohammed Kaif has been chosen as the replacement for the injured Rahul Dravid. The Karnataka batsman fractured a finger during India's recent encounter against Zimbabwe. It is believed that the injury occurred while Dravid was fielding in the slips where he dropped a sharp chance off the bowling of speedster Zaheer Khan. Kaif will be flown to Sharjah in a day or two, according to BCCI honorary secretary Jaywant Lele.

Kaif has had a very successful run in both age group cricket and domestic cricket. It must be remembered that he led the Indian Under-19 side to a famous triumph in the Youth World Cup held in Sri Lanka earlier this year. In the domestic competitions, Kaif has come up with big scores at key moments. In the Challenger Trophy last year, he had back to back innings of 90 and 93 and caught the selectors' eye. More recently, Kaif made valuable contributions in the selection matches held at Chennai before the team left for Nairobi to play in the ICC KnockOut Trophy. All five selectors were present at those matches.

Although he was a part of the initial squad of 23 for the tournament, Kaif did not make the final 14. It must be remembered that Kaif has already represented India in a Test match against South Africa. In the two innings that he played, Kaif looked composed and perfectly at ease at the international level. Although he scored only 35 runs in the two innings combined, he managed to spend two and a half hours at the crease in a losing cause. In his favour, it must also be said that he was at the wrong end of a dodgy LBW decision against Jacques Kallis.

Most recently, Kaif highlighted his claims at India selection with a polished 75 against Ranji Champions Mumbai in the Irani Trophy. While Kaif's pedigree has never been doubted, his ability to score quickly has been doubted. The young man has shown remarkable maturity throughout his fledgling career. Speaking to this scribe when he was named in the probables list, Kaif said, "even if I don't get picked to play for India, I don't mind waiting. I know the call will come at the right time." Perhaps the right time has finally come.

Although Hemang Badani and Sridharan Sriram are in Sharjah as members of the squad, the Indian think tank has been hesitant to play them. The fact that the Indian top five has four left handers (Sourav Ganguly, Vinod Kambli, Yuvraj Singh and Robin Singh) could work in Kaif's favour. The inclusion of either Badani in the middle order or Sridharan Sriram at the top of the order will only tilt the scales further towards the southpaws. Another factor that will hold Kaif in good stead is his bowling style. Before the Indian team left for Sharjah, Sourav Ganguly requested the selectors to pick an offspinner. That wish was overlooked and the same team that played the ICC KnockOut Trophy was picked to go to Sharjah. With Dravid being injured, this allows Ganguly to use Kaif in the top order and have him fill out a few overs of off spin.

Kaif however knows what it is to be part of a squad and not find a place in the playing eleven. Ironically, it was in Sharjah earlier this year that Kaif travelled as a tourist with the Indian One Day squad. One hopes the young man does not meet the same fate on his second tour to the Middle East.