Mohammad Kaif takes fresh guard under new skipper Rahul Gandhi

ALLAHABAD: Former Test cricketer and Congress nominee from Phulpur parliamentary constituency Mohammad Kaif was accorded a grand reception on his arrival to his hometown, on Thursday.
In a reminiscent to his return to the city after the heroic innings at Lords, supporters in thousands thronged Bamrauli Airport to join his procession that headed towards Anand Bhawan, where the cricketer-turned-politician went straight to offer floral tributes to Pandit Nehru, the first Prime Minister of the country and the winner from the Phulpur seat throughout his life.
Hailing the decision of Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi for fielding him from the prestigious Phulpur Lok Sabha seat, Kaif, who rose to stardom after his heroic knock at Lords in the final of the Natwest Trophy in 2002, said: "I am getting tremendous support and I am confident of my victory." He added modestly: "I never knew I am so popular. I had not expected such a huge crowd welcoming me."
Exuding confidence, Kaif, who has been sent to bat by the new captain Rahul Gandhi to bail out the team from trouble, said: "Congress would sweep the elections and form the next government. It was Rahul Gandhi's persuasion and drawing inspiration that I agreed to contest the election from Phulpur."
"If elected, I will try my best to fulfill the expectations of the people, the party and Rahul Gandhi," said Kaif, who has played 13 Test and 125 one-dayers.
Later, he also visited the residence of his coach Devesh Misra in Daraganj area. Presenting a silver plate to Kaif, Misra said, "I am feeling like being on seventh moon as the Congress haf fielded Kaif from the prestigious Phulpur constituency and I am confident that he will win the election by a huge margin and come out with flying colours in the second innings of his life." He will certainly show his guts in the political arena too and bail out the country and his constituency as he has done in the famous match.
Earlier, the procession of Kaif drew huge crowd from Bamrauli as the cheering supporters shouted slogans in his support. The supporters were raising slogans like 'Desh ke shaan Mohammad Kaif' and 'Rahul Gandhi zindabad'.