Why was Mohammad Kaif so overrated?

[Majestic]

I mean barring that one knock at NatWest Final, he barely did anything special at international level and even after getting a long run, he failed to make a huge mark.

 

Yet he seems so popular and people go so nostalgic about him as if we are discussing about a successful international cricketer. Unlike a Uthappa or Yousuf Pathan, he wasn't successful at IPL too.

[Aiden]

He was Asian Jonty Rhodes. 

[Sean Bradley]

Who said Kaif is overrated? When was the last time you saw a thread on Kaif  or any former Cricketer go Gaga over Kaif?

 

Kaif might not have been a great batsman or a bowler. But he is one of the main pillars or founding fathers of Indian fielding resurgence along with Raina & Yuvi. 

 

Before Kaif and Yuvraj, Indian team were known to be a below avg cricket fielding team. Our fielding resurgence started somewhere in 2002, which went all the way upto 2020.

 

Our fielding is poor atm because of ageing Cricketers. But there is a definite change in the mindset of Indian Cricketers with regards to fielding, and Kaif definitely has a role to play in this Fielding revolution.

[Majestic]

12 minutes ago, Sean Bradley said:

Who said Kaif is overrated? When was the last time you saw a thread on Kaif  or any former Cricketer go Gaga over Kaif?

 

Kaif might not have been a great batsman or a bowler. But he is one of the main pillars or founding fathers of Indian fielding resurgence along with Raina & Yuvi. 

 

Before Kaif and Yuvraj, Indian team were known to be a below avg cricket fielding team. Our fielding resurgence started somewhere in 2002, which went all the way upto 2020.

 

Our fielding is poor atm because of ageing Cricketers. But there is a definite change in the mindset of Indian Cricketers with regards to fielding, and Kaif definitely has a role to play in this Fielding revolution.

On a lot of Facebook posts and other social medias, people often go nostalgic and start admiring Mohammad Kaif for those one off instance.

 

His fielding also was good in early 2000s but do you remember him repeating those instances in IPL ( or post mid 2000s since his batting started declining)?

 

Much of India's fielding credit goes to Yuvraj and Raina and then the likes of Dhoni and Kohli became an inspiration for youngsters for fast running and then everyone started valuing athleticism.

[jusarrived]

He was pretty average, but the next best option was Dinesh Mongia, 

[AuxiliA]

He's not overrated. People remember him for nostalgic reasons.

 

That NatWest win was highly memorable. It was the highest successful chase (or up there) at that time. Besides we were on a looong final losing streak before it. 

 

Also he was a great fielder with plenty of crucial catches and runouts. 

 

[Mesky99]

Wrong he played many good clutch knocks, the innings against NZ when India India were 4 down for nothing with dravid was top quality, then again with dravid against Pakistan in the odi at Lahore under pressure once more, 2002 champions trophy knock, hit another 95 against SA, everytime he scored it would be while being under pressure, at once his average was around 36 before his final year 2006 where he struggled and lost form.

 

[vvvslaxman]

Kaif worked excellently in that set up. 7th batsman who was a gun fielder. Raina sure was an upgraded version of no.7

[AuxiliA]

26 minutes ago, vvvslaxman said:

Kaif worked excellently in that set up. 7th batsman who was a gun fielder. Raina sure was an upgraded version of no.7

 

That Indian team had so many good batting ARs, something we badly miss now. Yuvi, Sachin, Sehwag and Ganguly all could bowl decently. Even Dravid was a handy keeper. 

[putrevus]

3 hours ago, AuxiliA said:

 

That Indian team had so many good batting ARs, something we badly miss now. Yuvi, Sachin, Sehwag and Ganguly all could bowl decently. Even Dravid was a handy keeper. 

So true, compare it current batsman cannot bowl and bowlers cannot bat.

[Majestic]

4 hours ago, vvvslaxman said:

Kaif worked excellently in that set up. 7th batsman who was a gun fielder. Raina sure was an upgraded version of no.7

7th batsman should be a decent part time option too if it has to work. Fortunately India had options to accommodate him purely on batting and fielding.

[nevada]

He is fitter than quite a few active players, and whenever he is seen on TV, people get nostalgic that he still looks good enough to play. Also, since his career didn't take off, there is a tinge of sympathy as well. 

[maniac]

He is not overrated. He was a decent fit to the young Indian team that was shaping up back then. Played 2-3 clutch or stabilizing knocks in the middle order and was a dynamic fielder.

 

No one calls him a great player nor there was any outrage when he was dropped. 
 

Kind of like Uthappa, DK and few other names were part of some memorable moments in Indian cricket even though their overall career numbers look mediocre. That’s where some nostalgia helps his image.

[rageaddict]

 

 

Let's refresh one of his best moments. Pakistan kind of choked from that stage, needed only 10 in 8 balls. 

[Lord]

The best Indian fielder I saw.

 

Won Natwest and played some handy knocks in 2003 WC.

 

Thats really enough the way hes remembered.

[Lord]

5 minutes ago, rageaddict said:

 

 

Let's refresh one of his best moments. Pakistan kind of choked from that stage, needed only 10 in 8 balls. 

 

In 2004, that wasnt considered easy.

 

And that catch. Can't see any other Indian taking it.

[cricketfan28]

His knocks were very crucial in the matches against PK and NZ in 2003.  He was neither overrated nor underrated.

[Majestic]

On 9/23/2022 at 8:37 PM, Lord said:

The best Indian fielder I saw.

 

Won Natwest and played some handy knocks in 2003 WC.

 

Thats really enough the way hes remembered.

Didn't do much in 2003 WC. Averaged 20 overall. Scored a 68 run in a 150 run chase.

[Lord]

10 minutes ago, Majestic said:

Didn't do much in 2003 WC. Averaged 20 overall. Scored a 68 run in a 150 run chase.

that was from 3-21 with ball swinging around.Did similar in game v Pak 2004

[Majestic]

He achieved as much as Manish Pandey did in much lesser games in his ODI career to be fair. Pandey has a run chase in Australia in a 300+ total, a 100 in IPL and 2014 IPL Final knock. A great fielder as well!

Edited September 25, 2022 by Majestic