5. MOHAMMAD KAIF:
A lot of people remember Kaif for his epic knock of 87* in the Natwest Final. But very few know about his test career and his exploits in the Ranji Trophy. Playing for Uttar Pradesh, Kaif was always a talented batsman. He had a solid technique and getting his wicket for the bowlers was a difficult thing. Kaif was nowhere near being termed as an “attractive” batsman.
He did not have elegant wrists or he did not drive gracefully as a few others. But he had the most significant factor in him. Solidity and patience! Kaif was an idle candidate for India’s middle order batsman in tests. He was treated very harshly by the Indian selectors. The solid UP batsman could only play 13 test matches before he was dropped from the Indian side. Kaif had just one ton to his name. But that ton came in the testing circumstances of the West Indies. Ironically, that was his last series and he was never picked for India again.