1983 World Cup team mate
Syed Kirmani is a gem of Indian Cricket.
His contribution has been exemplary and I consider myself fortunate to have known him since he made his Test Debut in 1976,two years after I came into the team.
Kiri,as we fondly call him,replaced Farokh Engineer.They were different characters.Engineer was flamboyant and very demonstrative.Kiri was just the opposite .He was quietly efficient and went about his job most professionally -against the fast bowlers and the spinners .Nothing could district Kiri when it came to preparation for a match .He did not compromise on his fitness and hardly complained about the conditions.I would say he was flawless performer and a great team man to learn from.
Kiri was an asset to the team.His ability to read the pitch and the form of the bowler helped India when we played overseas .He was a brilliant batsman too in the lower order and often came up with some priceless knocks.
As all wicket keepers,Kiri was an integral part of our progress in international Cricket.When I ran to bowl I could see the figure of Kiri studying me and later offering a tip or two that would help me perform better.
Kiri was such a source of strength to the team in the 1983 world cup.He backed the bowlers with immaculate work behind the stumps .Some of the catches that he took helped the team grow.I would always marvel at his clean collection.He would always be in the best positions to collect the throws and I rarely saw him drop a catch.
I have the highest respect for Kiri because of his ability to keep wickets to the great quartet of Indian Spinners .At Karnataka and South Zone,he gave strength to EAS Prasanna ,BS Chandrashekar and S.Venkat Raghavan.In the Indian Team ,he was flawless in reading Bishan Bedi.I count Kiri as a great Friend.His sense of Humour was most welcome during stressful times.I take pride in our association and wish Kiri the best in his desire to do a book.
