Does Kaif deserve to be in the team?

[Midfielder]

Maybe test but definitely not in ODI. His batting is just not upto it.
"You're fired" D Trump

[Leo]

[shikar]

im telling you kaif will not perform in tests wait and see vs srilanka its a big mistake..... we should be grooming some1 new. Not yuvraj or kaif

[Midfielder]

I will take Mongia, Sriram or Venu. Kaif sucks.

[Ankur]

Kaif was the in terrific form and best Indian batsman in last tournament. Its crazy to say that we cannot give Kaif 2 games for him to get back in touch.

As far as Tests are concerned now that Dhoni looks ever close toearning a call, Pathanis a decent bat, and Ganguly looks out of favour, India should start playing 5 bowlers - 3 fast (Pathan, RP) - 2 spinners.

It not only help us cover our most famous weakness but also is the new norm with successful teams.

Kaif, Yuvraj etc can wait.

[finger_power]

I believe India has potentially better players than Kaif, who, if given proper chances will do better than Kaif. Kaif doesnt have the greatest techniques, also he is not anyone who can take on the opposition single-handedly and pull off special wins. He looks very average batsman to me.

But, I think India have "invested" too much in Kaif. He was given too many chanes, and was 'groomed' when he was young. Now, he has become one of the experienced ones in the team. His performances have been okay, not great but not terrible. So, I think even though there might be players with more skill than Kaif, India has gone too far ahead with both Kaif and Yuvraj Singh. India has invested too much in both of them, and converted them into experienced middle order players. So, while planning for WC 2007, India will find it extremely difficult to drop them, as it will give a "look" of inexperience to the Indian middle order.

I dont know why the same yardsticks applied to players like Zaheer, Balaji, Nehra (who are not old by any means) are not applied to Kaif and UV: If you dont perform 'excellently', you are dropped. I dont think Nehra Balaji and Zaheer performed terribly at any stages in recent past, but, still they were omitted as India thought there can be guys who can do better. I dont know why India doesnt do the same to Kaif and UV: Omit them if India thinks there are guys who can do better.

[Midfielder]

Nehra, Zaheer and Balaji are definetly better than Shreesanth and RP. On a given day they are also better than Pathan. Yes they should also get a chance.

[karthik]

Kaif has the knack of scoring "Save-my-ass-emergency-50"! That is hwo he has played 99 ODIs!

[finger_power]

[bjacob]

I cant find any valid reasons for dropping Kaif now..He has scored 600+ runs at an average of 45 in 2005.. Only Dravid, Dhoni(thanks to the dream run in SL series) and Sehwag(Played 10 more matches due to super series and Afro-Asia Cup) has better batting averages/runs than Kaif currently.

He is currently rated by most as the best fielder in the world today, which should give him some bonus points.

And people who would replace him has yet to prove that they can have a 40+ average..

Venu made 136 runs at an avg of 19 and highest score of 38
Raina made 89 runs at an avg of 22 and highest score of 39and
Ganguly made 206 runs at an avg of 17 and a highest score of 51

While Venu and Raina should get more chances, I do not think Kaif should be dropped just because India has won some matches against SL at home..Most Indian batsmen look awsome playing on home grounds..(Dhoni averages 67 in India and 33 outside India) I think caution needs to be applied before chopping players who are doing decently.. Else it will not only affect Kaif but the entire players in the country

[karthik]

jacob.. kaif will be playing Tests no matter whether we like or not. We will see how he delivers against Lankans.

[Midfielder]

Kaif has a borderline pathetic SR. I think gambhir is a better option.