14 Interesting facts about Syed Kirmani - The Charismatic Keeper

Syed Kirmani has served India for ten glorious years at the international level. He was technically very sound behind the stumps and had the potential to score runs at crucial junctures. He was a part of India’s maiden World Cup winning squad in 1983. Here are some of the interesting facts about Syed Kirmani.

1. Born and brought up:

Syed Mujtaba Hussein Kirmani was born on December 29, 1949, Chennai.

2. Early starts:

He started off early as an understudy to Farokh Engineer in the tours to England in 1971 and 1974 and to the 1975 Cricket World Cup.

3. Domestic career:

In 275 first-class matches, Kirmani scored 9620 runs at an average of 30.15, along with 13 centuries and 38 half-centuries.

4. Test call-up:

Kirmani made his Test debut against New Zealand in the year 1976. He batted in the first innings, scoring 14 runs. India went on to win the match by 8 wickets.

5. World record:

In his second Test match against New Zealand, Kirmani equalled the world record of 6 victims in an innings.

6. At his best:

He had 17 catches and two stumpings against Pakistan in the 1979-80 series and equalled Naren Tamhane’s Indian record for a single series.

7. Best at the world event:

Kirmani won the award for the best wicketkeeper in the 1983 World Cup, the most talked about point was the phenomenal catch of Faoud Bacchus that he took in the final against the West Indies.

8. Record stand:

In the year 1984, Kirmani scored his second hundred in Tests making 102 and adding 235 with Ravi Shastri against England, which is an Indian record for the seventh wicket.

9. Successful keeper:

Kirmani was India’s most successful wicketkeeper in Tests with 198 dismissals to his credit. MS Dhoni has gone on to break his record and is currently at the top with 256 dismissals.

10. Test records:

He has played 88 Test matches for India, scoring 2759 runs, with two centuries and 12 fifties.

11. Manager:

Kirmani used to represent State Bank of India. Post retirement, he was appointed their Public Relations Manager.

12. Multiple caps:

He acted alongside teammate Sandeep Patil in the movie Kabhi Ajnabi. He has also acted in Kannada films.

13. Honours:

He was awarded the Padma Sri in the year 1982.

14. Lifetime achievement:

He has been nominated for the CK Nayudu lifetime achievement award in the year 2015.