Reality check- Suresh Raina is just as good as Mohammad Kaif

[Sooda]

kaif would have made a better test player than raina. but the problem is he had no support in the media, nobody to fight his corner in public. good performances in first class cricket went unnoticed, and he did get a call up when south afrika toured in 2008 but didnt get a game. in india, public image makes a big difference - TV time counts towards selection and naturally the guys playing the ODIs will get preference. selectors dont watch games unless its high profile, i.e. a final of ranji, or the irani. it shouldnt be this way, but there u go. like actors, cricketers get typecast in certain roles and kaif was made out to be a plodder. from then on, he hasnt scoed many runs in FC cricket either, so he cant complain about where he stands anymore. that, and his FC team UP arent quite as good as they once were a few years ago , so there is practically no coverage of his performances outside of a few cricket forums on the interwebz

He has not scored as much of late, but immediately after being dropped he had a few stellar seasons batting with an improved free-er technique and played a crucial role as UP were one of the best domestic teams under his leadership. That should have earned him a recall. When SA toured India a few years ago and the farce of Saha making his debut as a batsman ensued Kaif should really have been in the squad as he had a fantastic Duleep trophy just around then. He has not much since, and you can imagine that the motivation is perhaps not quite there and who can blame him. Harshly treated and deserved better. His best test knocks came in high pressure scenarios when his team needed it, was dropped two tests after making a test ton away in WI FFS

[Jersey #10]

BS! India wouldn't have won the world cup without Raina and with Kaif. FU to whoever wrote that piece of junk in OP

[jusarrived]

Raina is a far superior player . Kaif is one of those rare talent-less batsmen who have plyed for us in recent years.

[achilles]

Raina is a far superior player . Kaif is one of those rare talent-less batsmen who have plyed for us in recent years.

Raina = far superior. Kaif = talentless? Okay dude.

[Sachinism]

Raina on the field :adore: The lads commitment is on a whole other level. A great sight, watching his commitment and how much he wants to be there is really amazing.

[gaurav92]

Raina is the best fielder India has ever had :hatsoff:

[Gully]

I like the energy he brings to the field, and is a decent bowler too in the middle-overs (great fielding off his own bowling too, which can cut down a good few runs per game).

[Sooda]

Raina is the best fielder India has ever had :hatsoff:

Eknath Solkar :P

[gaurav92]

^Haven't seen him, but have heard a lot about him. But to be honest, I don't think he could be better than Raina. But then again, I haven't seen him field so I cannot judge.

[Sidhoni]

Just add a poll achilles buddy

[jusarrived]

Raina = far superior. Kaif = talentless? Okay dude.

stop being so biased . your player worshiping is quite pathetic to tbh . Comparison between these two is a joke . Kaif was a grafter with no technique ..a honest trier , for which i admire him . He would not have got into the team if he was part of Rainas generation . Raina is a gifted player , with flaws ..he may never bcom agood test player , but in LOIs we have not had many batsmen better than him .

[gaurav92]

stop being so biased . your player worshiping is quite pathetic to tbh . Comparison between these two is a joke . Kaif was a grafter with no technique ..a honest trier , for which i admire him . He would not have got into the team if he was part of Rainas generation . Raina is a gifted player , with flaws ..he may never bcom agood test player , but in LOIs we have not had many batsmen better than him .

Agree. Raina is a boundary getter, a natural strokemaker :nice:

[saneindian]

Raina vs Yuvraj at a similar stage of their career: Raina- 124 ODIs, 105 innings, 2978 runs@35, SR of 91, 3 100s, 17 50s Yuvi- 118 ODIs, 105 innings, 2708 runns@29, SR of 86, 2 100s, 17 50s

[gaurav92]

Better average, better strike rate and a slightly better fielder Raina :--D

[ch1234]

Mohammed Kaif was an inspirational player for the other young players during those time.. in a way that all got inspired that " if Kaif played for India, I also can play"..:--D But, really, He should have played more test cricket for India.. No comparison between Kaif and Raina as ODI batsman.. Raina miles ahead..