1983 World Cup Team Mate
Syed Kirmani, fondly referred to as ‘Kiri’ by his friends, is widely regarded as one of the finest wicketkeepers to have represented India. Not only was he an exceptional gloveman, but he also showcased his abilities as a resilient lower-order batsman. Across 88 Test matches, he amassed 2759 runs and claimed 198 victims (160 caught and 38 stumped), establishing himself as a stalwart of Indian cricket. Despite his remarkable contributions, Kirmani felt that his international career concluded prematurely, as he fell short of completing the coveted wicketkeeper’s double— achieving 2000 runs and 200 victims. Nonetheless, his remarkable service to Indian cricket unquestionably secures him a place in the cricketing ‘Hall of Fame.’ Kirmani had a keen passion for his attire and cricket kit. He meticulously packed his bags, and even after several years, some of his shirts, trousers, and jackets remained fresh and new. Sunil ‘Sunny’ Gavaskar, known for his sharp memory, often teased Kirmani by recalling the specific place and year of purchase for particular clothing items. Kirmani, slightly embarrassed, would acknowledge Gavaskar’s memory prowess. Nevertheless, whether it was for a match or a social gathering, Kirmani always presented himself impeccably. I used to address him respectfully as ‘Kiri Bhai.’ During the 1982-83 Pakistan tour, our routine involved me hitting catches to Kirmani before the start of an inning. This practice boosted his confidence, and it allowed me to observe his glove work closely, refining my skills in delivering accurate catches. This experience became beneficial later in my career when I ventured into coaching. On one occasion during the Rawalpindi match of the same tour, Kirmani sat out. While we were batting, he sported a patka with an apple in it, sitting among the Indian players in the gallery. With a flowing beard, he bore a resemblance to a Sikh, prompting surprise from many, including Kapil Dev, who discovered a third ‘sardarji’ in the Indian team alongside Maninder Singh and myself. Kirmani possessed a great sense of humor, lightening the atmosphere in our dressing room with his amusing anecdotes presented in his unique style. Technically proficient, Kirmani refrained from excessive appealing or flamboyance behind the stumps. His approach was characterized by efficiency. In the 1982-83 Karachi Test, during the last over of the day bowled by Javed Miandad, Kirmani showcased his agility and alertness. Miandad, aiming to play defensively, edged a delivery towards wide leg slip. With the shadows elongating on the ground, Kirmani, displaying his agility, dived to his left, securing a spectacular catch. However, Kirmani’s crowning moment as a wicketkeeper arrived during the 1983 World Cup. From the outset against Zimbabwe, he exhibited his efficiency by grabbing three catches and effecting two stumpings. His consistently reliable performance throughout the tournament culminated in a pivotal catch he took, dismissing Faoud Bacchus off my bowling in the final. Apart from his wicket keeping prowess, Kirmani contributed substantially with the bat, particularly during the partnership with Kapil Dev at Tunbridge Wells against Zimbabwe. His unbeaten 26 runs and the crucial 126-run ninth-wicket partnership with Kapil Dev were instrumental in India’s success. In the 1983 World Cup final at Lord’s, joining Kirmani with the scoreboard reading 161 for 9, I expressed my determination to stick around. Kirmani showed faith in me, and through strike rotation, despite enduring a fiery delivery from Marshall on my helmet, we added 22 valuable runs before the innings folded for 183, with Kirmani being dismissed. I felt proud of our resilient stand against the formidable opposition’s attack. Among his career highlights, Kirmani’s feat of not conceding a single bye against England in three consecutive tests in 1981-82, and his tally of 19 victims (17 caught and 2 stumped) against Pakistan in 1982-83, equaling Naren Tamhane’s record for a three-test series, stand out as testament to his excellence. Off the field, Kirmani is a remarkable entertainer, possessing skills in mimicry, stand-up comedy, and singing. He even ventured into acting, accepting the role of an underworld ‘Don’ in Sandeep Patil’s movie, ‘Kabhie Ajnabi The.’ His storytelling sessions were eagerly awaited by the entire Indian team, delivered with passion and accompanied by a cigar, creating suspense with smoke rings and perfectly timed punchlines. I have always believed he could excel as a scriptwriter for suspense movies. A cool and composed individual, Kirmani had a relaxed approach to completing his tasks, often making the Indian team wait for fielding practice as he meticulously readied himself with pads and gloves at his own pace. His leadership during a side game in the West Indies when Kapil Dev opted to rest displayed his methodical field settings, though it tested the patience of batsmen and umpires. ‘Kiri’ remained unruffled, performing his duties with his characteristic efficiency. I genuinely hope that Kirmani’s autobiography finds its way to all cricket enthusiasts, offering valuable insights into the development of Indian cricket over time. With affection and warm wishes, I extend my hopes for a joyous future and good health to Kiri Bhai and his family
