President of the BCCI and 1983 World Cup team mate.
I have been given the honour to write a few words about Kiri like he is fondly called.
Growing up as a school boy cricketer I was a big admirer of Syed Kirmani as I knew him then and followed his game as at that stage he hit the headlines regularly
I remember very clearly my first meeting with Kiri at close quarters at the KSCA B ground as it was called then where I practiced with my club BUCC which Kiri was a member to and I was changing in the dressing room and in walked in Kiri and I wished him and he recognised me at once and his words of encouragement were Congratulations on your performances and keep it up Good luck which was very encouraging for me.
A few years later I made my first class debut with Kiri as my keeper and went on to play South Zone and When I made my test debut Kiri was my keeper too.
I had the pleasure of being a roommate of Kiri and learnt a few lessons on how to keep your room tidy.
We worked together for the State Bank of India and spent a lot of time traveling and playing cricket together
Kiri was a stylist and took great pleasure in dressing up
He was a wonderful team man and kept the team in splits of laughter at all times
He had time for young cricketers and enjoyed the outdoors with nature.
Kiri as a wicketkeeper was brilliant easy the best wicket keeper India has produced
His concentration was amazing and at many matches which I was a witness to after keeping the whole day there was not a single bye.
He was a fighter and never say die attitude on the Field especially when the chips were down clearly seen in our World Cup 83 win!
Here is wishing Kiri the very best, good health and a happy life.
Roger Binny.
Team mate 1975 to 2000.
