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Former cricketer Mohammad Kaif asserted on Monday that the Indian team has the capability to win the World Cup at home this year and it should not be judged on the basis of two T20I losses in the West Indies. India, after winning the two-Test series and ODIs in the Caribbean, are trailing 0-2 in the five-match T20I series, leading to criticism over the side's preparations ahead of two major competitions -- the Asia Cup in Pakistan and Sri Lanka and the ODI World Cup at home. However, Kaif said at a function here that the fears of India under-performing in the World Cup were unfounded, although he indicated that pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah will have to be fully fit for the hosts to end the title drought. "India has lost just two matches (T20Is against West Indies), so we do not need to get overly concerned. I am seeing a lot of negative reaction after the two losses. But I will only say that our team is extremely competitive. "I am not going to judge (India) on two back-to-back losse
Former India international Mohammad Kaif believes that Sanju Samson is fully equipped to bat in the the middle-order and should be in the final 15 for the ODI World Cup at home in October-November. Samson smashed an impactful fifty under pressure in the series deciding third ODI against West Indies in Tarouba on Tuesday. Battling for a middle-order spot alongside Suryarkumar Yadav, Samson delivered in a must-win situation to make a strong case for himself. Shreyas Iyer and K L Rahul's absence from the team due to injuries have provided the opportunities to the likes of Samson and Suryakumar, who had a forgettable series in the Caribbean. India have often slowed down in the middle orders and Kaif feels Samson can address that issue. "I am massively impressed by Samson. He played an impactful knock, whether at four or five, he has done it in the past." Kaif didn't endorse sending Ishan Kishan and Axar Patel in the middle order. "Sending Kishan or Axar Patel in the middle-order is
Former Indian cricketer and Delhi Capitals assistant coach Mohammad Kaif has hailed the performance of Sunrisers Hyderabad players - Priyam Garg, Abhishek Sharma and Abdul Samad against the experienced Chennai Super Kings.SRH youngster Priyam Garg gave a stunning performance with the bat against CSK. Garg and Abhishek Sharma rescued SRH from a disastrous start and enabled the team to post 164 runs in 20 overs. Garg smashed 51 runs in just 26 balls while Sharma made a gutsy 31 after witnessing a bad start.Abdul Samad, who recently made his IPL debut, defended 28 runs in the last over on Friday.Seeing the brilliant performance of the youngsters, Kaif said that IPL is a tournament where talent meets opportunity."An 18-year-old from J & K, a 19-year-old from UP and a 20-year-old from Punjab script a win against the most experienced side in IPL. Truly a tournament where talent meets opportunity. #CSKvSRH," Kaif tweeted.SRH defeated CSK by seven runs at the Dubai International Stadium ..