Reluctant, introvert Kaif retires from competitive cricket

Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif announced his retirement from all forms of the game today, exactly 16 years after he combined with Yuvraj Singh to script one of India's most memorable ODI triumphs at the hallowed turf of Lord's.

The 37-year-old posted an emotional message on his twitter page to bid adieu to the game, almost 12 years after he last played for the Indian team, standing out as much for his acrobatic fielding as for his effective middle-order batting.

"It made sense to do so on July 13. Each of our professional lives are defined by one moment more than any other, 16 years ago today, July 13, 2002 was that moment for me... It seems apt to bid goodbye on this day," Kaif said.

Kaif played 13 Tests and 125 ODIs for India and will always be remembered for his match-winning knock of 87 at the Lord's during the epic Natwest Trophy final in 2002.

Detailing his cricketing journey which started at 11 "slowly, reluctantly, walking into a bare Green Park Hostel in Kanpur", Kaif spoke about the many milestones which defined his career.

He was a part of the Indian team that reached the World Cup final in South Africa. Along with Yuvraj Singh, Kaif was among the stars to emerge from the U-19 India stable after leading the Colts to a maiden Junior World Cup triumph in 2000.

One of the fittest cricketers of his time, a batting average of 32 in 125 ODIs, with only two hundreds, don't tell the story of Kaif's fighting abilities coming at No 6 or 7 with only few deliveries to play.

In his 13 Test appearances, Kaif logged 2753 runs at an average of 32.01, including two hundreds and 17 half-centuries.

"...despite the other moments, July 13, 2002 was different...With Viru (Virender Sehwag), Sachin Paaji, Dada (Sourav Ganguly), and Rahul (Dravid) back in the pavilion, 326 seemed impossible," Kaif recalled.

"My own family, by the way, decided not to watch, went off to see a movie and missed the rest of the game. However, no one told Yuvraj and me that we were expected to lose. So we expected to win," he said.

"Our 121-run stand, and the win, coming 19 years after India's 1983 World Cup win, also at Lord's was incredibly special. It's pretty amazing to be part of a magical win."