Rajasthan send back Kaif, six others from SA

New Delhi: The Rajasthan Royals have axed a big name from their squad even before the IPL got under way. Mohammad Kaif, the former India international, will join six other players on their way back to India as the defending champions pruned their squad on Wednesday.


Kaif, along with Paras Dogra, Anup Revandkar, Srideep Mangela, Ashraf Makda, Azhar Malik and Dinesh Salunkhe - who won a reality cricket show before being signed by the Royals, would be sent back.


Manoj Badale, the Rajasthan Royals chairman and co-owner, said in a statement that it wasn't feasible for the franchise to keep their entire squad in South Africa which would have added to their expenses. He also said th players would remain a part of their squad.

It has always been a target to pick a final squad of 17-18 players, and this year we have an even stronger squad than last year," Badale said. "It is disappointing to have to let go of any players, as they are all stars in our view. We are a family, building a long-term franchise, and for us player participation is not about one season alone – and all of the guys returning have a big role to play in future matches and tournaments."


Kaif, who was purchased for a hefty $675,000 at the auction last year, didn't have much of a role during Rajasthan's victorious campaign. He played all the matches but could manage only 176 runs at an average of just 16. He didn't make a single half-century, although he largely batted lower down the order. The 28-year-old has played 13 Tests and 125 one-dayers for India.


Badale emphasised in the statement that most of the media's attention would be trained on Kaif's ommisison, but added that the player was "supportive of the decision".


"Much of the attention will focus on Mohammed Kaif, who has been a key part of our success to date – not just as a batsman, but as a role model for our younger Indian players," he said. "He has been extremely supportive of the decision, which says a lot about him as a person."


Badale, however, didn't rule out any of the players returning to join the squad in the event of an injury. "Injuries and new conditions mean that the player's participation later in the tournament is not ruled out."