Testimonials
Captain 1983 World Cup
It is not easy for me to write on Syed Kirmani. He has been playing since I was a youngster and did not know if I would ever even play for India. We were in a school camp in Bangalore and Kiri came to visit us children and encourage us. His was the first autograph I ever took. He wrote on my bat back then- wish you tons of runs and wickets. I am eternally grateful for that. My first tour was with kiri to east Africa before I even played for India. We were even, then part of a team though I was a nobody and he was a test player Kiri has been a big part of my career from my very first to his last test.
Indian Cricketer
Growing up in Bengaluru in the 1980s, Syed Kirmani was one of the great icons of Karnataka and Indian cricket, and it was a great honour for a youngster like me to share a dressing room with a legend like him. When Kiri took over as captain for the 1990-91 season, it was special to play under him.
I had heard numerous stories of his sensational glovework against the celebrated Indian spin quartet, and I had a firsthand taste of his genius in a Ranji Trophy game against Maharashtra in Pune in 1991.
Former National Team Coach
Growing up, I idolized Mr. Syed Kirmani, the legendary wicketkeeper-batsman of Indian cricket. His exploits in the 1983 World Cup were a huge inspiration for a ten-year-old boy from Bangalore who was deeply passionate about the game. Mr. Kirmani’s contributions to wicketkeeping, particularly his excellence behind the stumps while supporting India’s renowned spin quartet, transformed how we perceived the role of a wicketkeeper in India.
I had the privilege of playing alongside him and having him as my first captain in my Ranji Trophy debut.
1983 World Cup Team Mate
Syed Kirmani was most brilliant behind the sticks and among the pluckiest in front. We played for many years together for India and his contribution in the team’s successes-in Tests and ODI’s-was monumental.
As a wicket-keeper, he was technically the best with only England’s Bob Taylor in close competition among the many wicket keepers I’ve seen in international and domestic cricket, whether in India or in England when playing for Glamorgan.
Taylor had agility and finesse, but Id rate Kiri a nose head.
Former Captain Indian Cricket Team
The genius of wicket keeping, a crisis manager that the whole team looked up to & above all, a great human being are my fond memories of Syed Kirmani.
I grew up watching him play the Moin-ud-Dowla Gold Cup and he represented SBI. A picture of sheer elegance & perfection in both his wicket keeping & batting, Hyderabad was fortunate to see him play.
Above all, he is always willing to share his learnings as a student of the game with anyone who approaches him.
Indian Cricketer
Kiri, the one with the Golden Glove. I had of Kirmani as a most talented young keeper and an excellent athlete. As has been the case in Indian sport talent is found in a less fortunate middle class family. Here it is proven that what a wonderful keeper Kiri [affectionately] known was.Who hailed from just about middle class family. What a God sent gift to cricketing fraternity.
I personally met Kiri at Lords cricket ground when Kiri was with the Indian school team touring England. Karnataka state Cricket association were extremely lucky to have such a wonderful keeper to represent the state as well don the Indian color.
Chairperson, Biocon Group
“Syed ‘Kiri’ Kirmani’s autobiography is about a man who is more than just a name in the cricketing world; he is an icon, widely regarded as the finest wicket-keeper India has ever seen. With exceptional skills both behind the stumps and with the bat, Kirmani’s journey is one of passion, perseverance, and triumph. As a key member of the legendary 1983 Cricket World Cup-winning Indian squad, he played a pivotal role in one of the greatest sporting moments for the nation. His world-class athleticism and reflexes made him the type of wicketkeeper who could adeptly handle both spinners and fast bowlers.
Chairman, Narayana Health
Syed Kirmani, the legendary Indian wicketkeeper, is a true icon of the sport. His unmatched skills behind the stumps set a benchmark for future generations. As a young man, I was amazed at his persona that inspired many youngsters to take up professional sports.
Beyond his on-field brilliance, Kirmani has been an exemplary ambassador for cricket, dedicating himself to nurturing young talent at different levels of the game and promoting the sport’s values.
Founder of Largest Cricket museum
For me, “Kiri,” as I call him, is a genius. I took the liberty of calling him by his nickname because our mutual liking was as quick as his stumping. Kiri often asks me how, despite I living in the UAE, we became so close and stayed in constant touch. I once told him it was because I was “caught behind” by him from the day I saw him in action. He laughed and reminded me that cricket has a way of connecting people who love the game intensely and that our bond was forged through our shared passion for cricket.
Captain/Batsman Pakistan Cricket Team
It is with great pleasure that I write these few lines in honor of one of the finest wicket-keeper batsmen of my era, Syed Kirmani.
Our teams have shared a storied and intense rivalry whenever India and Pakistan have faced off on the cricket field. The pressure from the crowd and media on both sides was immense, with passionate fans demanding victory at any cost. Performing under such circumstances was never easy, yet Syed Kirmani consistently rose to the occasion, especially during challenging times.
World Class spinner Indian Cricket Team
I will be the first to admit that I was a difficult bowler to keep wickets to. I was fast, the ball spun, and sometimes I was erratic too. It needed a top class wicketkeeper to convert the half chances and affect the stumpings especially when the batter overbalanced. And that was what Kirmani (Kiri to all of us) was – a top class wicketkeeper.
I remember an occasion when Ramesh Saxena, a fine player of spin, missed a ball outside the leg stump on a helpful (to me, that is) wicket at the Central College ground in Bengaluru.
1983 World Cup Team Mate
I had heard about Syed Kirmani while at school in the early seventies . I finally had the opportunity to play and meet him in Bangalore .
KIRI Bhai, as we fondly called, never looked back after making his debut for the country in 1976 and played over 88 test matches over a decade. It is a testimony of his tenacity and sheer class !
Elegant, graceful, and sheer brilliance behind the stumps really catapulted him to being the best in the world during the peak in his career !
Kiri Bhai was indeed one of the main contributors in our 1983 World Cup campaign . The crucial unbeaten 126-run partnership for the 9th wicket with Kapil during the game against Zimbabwe changed the course of the tournament, and rest is history !
