Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif celebrates his 41st birthday today. After his retirement, Kaif is busy making the most of his time with wife Pooja and their kids. Here's a look at some rare photos of Kaif with his family as well as pictures from his playing days along with some highlights in his career.
Updated On: 2021-12-01 10:05 AM IST
Mohammad Kaif was born on December 1, 1980, in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh in a middle-class family.
In picture: Mohammad Kaif and wife Pooja during a holiday in Goa.
TRIVIA: Mohammad Kaif hails from a cricketing family. Kaif's father Mohammad Tarif played cricket for the Uttar Pradesh state team and Railways. His brother, Mohammad Saif played cricket for Madhya Pradesh as well as Uttar Pradesh.
In picture: Mohammad Kaif with wife Pooja during a trip to Mussourie.
Mohammad Kaif's superior athleticism and reflexes made him one of India's finest fielders of all time.
Mohammad Kaif was a thinking cricketer and considered a vital cog in the Indian cricket team during his playing days.
In 2000, Mohammad Kaif made headlines when he led the U-19 Indian cricket team to the World Cup title.
Mohammad Kaif made his Test debut in March 2000 and played 13 Tests for India scoring 624 runs with an average of 32.84 and a top score of 148*. Kaif also scored 3 fifties in Tests.
Mohammad Kaif made his ODI debut for Team India in January 2002 and went on to play 125 ODIs scoring 2,753 runs at an average of 32.01 and a top score of 111*. He has 2 centuries and 17 fifties under his belt.
Mohammad Kaif is best remembered for his brilliant performance in the 2002 Natwest Series final against England. Chasing a mammoth total of 326, with India's big four - Sachin, Sehwag, Ganguly and Dravid out, Kaif and Yuvraj put on a brilliant 100-run partnership to get the team into a winning position. Kaif went on to score an unbeaten 87 to help Indian clinch the title and earn himself the man-of-the-match award.
In his first-class career, Mohammad Kaif played 186 matches and scored 10,229 runs at an average of 38.60. He has 19 centuries and 59 fifties to his name with a top score of 202 not out.
Mohammad Kaif made his IPL debut in 2008 and played 4 seasons. Kaif made appearance in 29 matches scoring 259 runs averaging at 14.38 with a strike rate of 103. He never managed to score a fifty and his highest score was 34.
Mohammad Kaif met Pooja at a mutual friend's party. Pooja Yadav was working at an event management company at the time.
Mohammad Kaif and Pooja kept in touch and began meeting up on a regular basis.
Mohammad Kaif and Pooja Yadav finally tied the knot on March 25, 2011 after dating for four years.
Mohammad Kaif's wife Pooja is a journalist based in Noida.
In March 2012, Mohammad Kaif and Pooja had their first child - a boy. They named him Kabir.
Mohammad Kaif shared this photo with wife Pooja and their son Kabir during one of their holidays.
In picture: Mohammad Kaif playing chess with his son Kabir.
On April 4, 2017, Mohammad Kaif and his wife Pooja had a baby girl and named her Eva. He posted this photo with the newest member of their family and wrote: With my little bundle of #joy. Pooja and I have been blessed with a beautiful and healthy baby girl on April 4th, #thankyou for your wishes and prayers.
In picture: Mohammad Kaif in a candid moment with his little baby girl Eva.
Mohammad Kaif shared this photo with his daughter Eva during a family trip to Goa.
In picture: Mohammad Kaif with wife Pooja and kids Kabir and Eva during an outing amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
In picture: Mohammad Kaif and wife Pooja with friends during a house party.
In picture: Mohammad Kaif with Sachin and Anjali Tendulkar at Zaheer Khan's wedding reception.
In picture: Mohammad Kaif spending some family time in Allahabad during Eid.
Throwback! Mohammad Kaif and Harbhajan Singh during their younger days.
A throwback picture of Mohammad Kaif, Yuvraj Singh and Virender Sehwag during a cricket tour
In picture: Mohammad Kaif with Irfan Pathan and Zaheer Khan looking dapper in a throwback.
In picture: Mohammad Kaif with wife Pooja, son Kabir along with Ajay Jadeja, Ajit Agarkar, Zaheer Khan and Gaurav Kapur.
In picture: Mohammad Kaif with MS Dhoni and his wife Sakshi during Yuvraj Singh's wedding reception.
In picture: Selfie time! Mohammad Kaif with former India pacer Ashish Nehra.
In picture: Mohammad Kaif and Suresh Raina enjoying an early morning cuppa 'chai' at a dhaba.
Flashback! Mohammad Kaif seen here with a younger Virat Kohli.
Mohammad Kaif will go down in cricket books as one of the most talented fielders and dedicated players of the game who would always go that extra mile to deliver.
