ICL is the right destination for Kaif

Better late than never.

Something which Kaif should have thought of immediately after India's win in the Twenty20 World Cup, he is toying with now. That is joining the rebel cricket league -- the ICL.

That cataclysmic event in September had temporarily left question mark over the future of many seniors, what to talk of test and ODI discard Kaif, who seems to be having his best years behind him.

If one remembers, just before the sulking Australians (After losing the Twenty20 semifinal to India) had landed here, there were talks of having a completely young side to take on the Aussie. And it was only some splendid performances by Sachin and a reasonable show by Sourav, which had revived the faith in the seniors.

Now, the fact that he is not even among the probables for the Australian tour should ring the warning bells for Kaif. He has not played an ODI since November 29, 2006 (against South Africa), and test after the summer series against the West Indies last year. Though there have been comebacks before, most notably by Murali Karthik, in Kaif's case it looks highly unlikely with so many batsmen vying for the middle order place.

Kaif's average of 32 from 125 ODIs is still decent, but Indian cricket, when it looks for a change, will opt for fresh set of players -- the likes of Rohit Sharma.

With ICL looking to be an acceptable alternative after first few matches, it will only be prudent for the likes of Kaif to look forward, rather than hoping for something which may never materialise.