XtraTime Web Desk: Legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar recalled a classic incident where his former Indian cricket team teammate Mohammad Kaif got a new nickname. The incident happened during the first match of the Road Safety Series against West Indies XI.
Tendulkar stated that Kaif was giving his all in the field despite being 39 and that prompted others to caution him that it is the first match of the tournament and there is still a long way to go.
“We had to tell Kaif to be cautious. We nicknamed him ‘bhai sahab, bhai sahab, thoda sambhalke.’ It’s the first match of the tournament and there are a lot of matches to be played,” Tendulkar said in a video uploaded on 100 MB YouTube channel.
“What if you pull a hamstring or something. It (diving and fielding quickly) comes naturally to him. He thinks if you are fit, you continue doing those things. He was a really fit guy. He was an outstanding fielder in team,” he added.
Kaif was regarded as one of the finest fielders ever to don the iconic blue jersey. He, along with Yuvraj Singh, marshalled the cover-point area with great aplomb in an era where fielding wasn’t Team India’s strongest suit.
Despite his incredible fielding skills, Kaif is fondly remembered by almost every Indian cricket fan for his Man of the Match performance in the Natwest Trophy final against England at Lord’s in 2002.