Mohammad Kaif to lead Chhattisgarh in Ranji 2016-17

Former Indian batsman, Mohammad Kaif has been appointed as the as captain of the Chhattisgarh team for their Ranji season 2016-17. Chhattisgarh is going to participate in the Ranji trophy for the first time.

“Glad to be appointed Chhatisgarh’s first captain. Exciting new journey, look forward to working with young talents,” Kaif took it to Twitter to announce the news posting a picture with Chhattisgarh Cricket Sangh officials and team’s coach Sulakshan Kulkarni.

The tweet reads, “Glad to be appointed Chhatisgarh’s first captain. Exciting new journey, look forward to working with young talents.”

Glad to be appointed Chhatisgarh's first captain. Exciting new journey, look forward to working with young talents. pic.twitter.com/sfSKLeEpRk

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) July 18, 2016

Chhattisgarh State Cricket Sangh formerly was an associate member of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). It was elevated to full membership earlier this year in February and will be the 10th team in Group C in the Ranji Trophy. They are also the 28th team to feature in the tournament, which is in its 83rd edition.

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Before the association with Andra, he was an integral part of the Uttar Pradesh for almost a decade-and-a-half since making his first-class debut in 1997-98. He has played a vital part in UP’s march to their maiden Ranji Trophy title in 2005-06.

The 35-year old had played 13 Test matches and 125 One Day Internationals (ODIs) for India. He has 20 international half-centuries and 3 centuries. Kaif was at his best form in 2002, when he helped India win the Natwest Trophy, which is one of the historical moments in Indian cricket.

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In the early 2000s, he was considered to be the future captain of team India, but injuries and lack of form pushed him out of the team. Despite getting back in form in the domestic season, he found it hard to get into the batting line-up that comprised of- Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid. Yuvraj Singh was the only youngster in the batting line-up who was also winning matches at will for the men in blue.