I still don't know why I was dropped: Kaif

New Delhi:

Out-of-favour middle order batsman Mohammad Kaif is quietly hopeful of returning to national colours, banking on his previous international record and impressive current domestic performance.

Kaif, more popular for his agile fielding skills, had a horrid run with the bat in 2005-6, but the Uttar Pradesh cricketer refuses to believe it was his form which put paid to his international aspirations.

"I don't know why I was dropped. I was in form when I was not picked in the first XI against England (in 2006). I had scored 91 against England and there were also a couple of 50s before that," he told PTI.

"But that was a team decision (not to play me) and I have absolutely nothing to comment on that. From my perspective, I can only say that when a player is in form he should get to play more matches instead of giving him a break," he said.

Kaif was recalled to the Test team in place of the injured Yuvraj Singh for the first Test against England in Nagpur in March 2006. Despite top-scoring with 91 to save the match, he was omitted for the following match when Yuvraj recovered his fitness.

He was recalled in the squad for four Tests in the West Indies, after Sachin Tendulkar was injured. He hit 148 not out in the second Test, his maiden Test century.

In late 2006, Kaif was dropped from the ODI team and Test squad in favour of Dinesh Karthik. In April 2008, he was recalled to the Test team for the second Test against South Africa, but failed to appear in a game.

"I was doing reasonably well in Tests but could not make it to the first XI often," lamented the player, who made his Test debut at 20 but has played only 13 matches so far.

Kaif, who was sent home by Rajasthan Royals from south Africa before the start of IPL-II, has been called back for an exhibition match against England's domestic T20 champions Middlesex next week.

Asked how he viewed his chances of making a comeback to the team, with many youngsters waiting in the wings especially in the post-IPL scenario, the 28-year-old player said he had experience in Tests and ODIs and was learning every day about Twenty20.

"I have experience in Tests and one-dayers and I am learning new things everyday. We are all trying to learn and adapt to the T20 format as well," he said.

Kaif seems to have discovered a success recipe for the T20 format as he said "the key is to rotate the strike. You cannot hit sixes in all 120 balls. So some have to hit sixes and some have to support. Ones and twos are also important at time. So not all batsmen should aim at sixes.

"At the same time, the demand is such that you play less dot balls.

"I am also trying to take crucial catches and effect run-outs which make a significant difference to the outcome," he said.