Speculation is rife at the Tau Devi Lal Stadium that India discard Mohammad Kaif is on the verge of signing up with the 'rebel' Indian Cricket League. When asked to confirm the news, a senior Essel Group official reacted by saying: "Can't say anything about it officially yet. Will let you know in due course."
The middle order batsman has been out of the Indian squad since November 2006. The UP Ranji captain, who has played 125 ODI games, last played for India at Port Elizabeth against South Africa. Once considered a vital component of the 'Chappellway', he was dropped from the national side following a string of failures in the run up to the 2007 ICC World Cup.
And once dropped about a year ago, he rarely came up on the radar of national selectors. If the news is correct then he will become the most capped India player to join the league.
It is pertinent to note that the popular middle order batsman was dropped from BCCI's list of contracted players when it was renewed earlier this year.
Kaif himself refused to comment on the issue.