Manager,Indian Cricket Team ,1983 World Cup
My association with S.M.H. Kirmani has been since the mid sixties, when he had come to play the Moin-ud-Dowlah Gold Cup Invitation Tournament.
VST Industries were fielding an India under-19 team to be led by Pataudi. The idea was to give the youngsters a chance to compete with the Senior cricketers under the able guidance of Pataudi. This opportunity, in a way, became a stepping stone for Kiri to go places later.
Kiri was more recognised as a batsman during his initial years. However, Col Hemu Adhikari, Manager of the India U-19 Team’s tour of England, of which Kiri was a member, had observed that Kiri’s talent was more behind the stumps than in front and felt that he should seriously consider wicketkeeping.
Kiri was born in Hyderabad and had his early education at All Saints High School. The presence of a large number of relatives out here in Hyderabad, made him a frequent visitor here and thereby our meetings quite regular, which actually strengthened our friendship over time.
Moreover, during my travels as the Manager of the Soth Zone Team for Duleep and Deodhar Trophy matches, both of us would spend a lot of time discussing cricket and Kiri would also share his own experiences.
During the Indian Team’s tour to Pakistan in 1978, where I was the Assistant Manager of the Team, the entire Indian Team bonded very well. Under the garb of “security reasons” the Players’ movements were restricted and thereby most of the time was spent in one another’s company. It was at these gatherings that Kiri was a popular entertainer, impersonating and mimicking Film personalities, particularly Late Dev Anand. He always exuded a great sense of humour.
The other wonderful opportunity when we travelled together was for the Prudential World Cup in 1983 to England. The past record of India in World Cups, then, led to very little expectations about the Team’s performance for this edition as well. The Team was also relaxed with the Captain generally exhorting the Players to give their best on the field and to enjoy off it. Over the years, a lot has been written about this legendary journey of the Indian Team’s World Cup victory in 1983, particularly about Kapil’s epic knock against Zimbabwe at Tunbridge Wells. What is unfortunately ignored is Kiri’s unstinted support at the other end. At one of the most critical junctures, it was this unbeaten 9th wicket partnership that did the turn for India. Kiri stood ‘rock solid’ at one end. Also, he was adjudged the ‘Best Wicketkeeper’ of the Tournament and received a Golden Gloves Trophy from the Legendary Godfray Evans.
By nature, Kiri is soft spoken. But he does not hesitate to speak his heart out without mincing words. This probably at times has not been taken in the right spirit and he has been misunderstood.
A great cricketer and one of my best friends, I wish him great success in all his endeavors and I am sure his Autobiography would be a wonderful reading.
ALL THE BEST KIRI!!!
P.R. Man Singh
