SMH Kirmani: the versatile wicketkeeper

Kirmani's 12-year stint at the top saw a sea-change in the way India played. The early part of Kirmani's career was spent keeping wickets  to the famed spin quartet, never the easiest of tasks. After they faded away, he had to step back a few paces to deal with a seam attack spearheaded by Kapil Dev. It is testament to Kirmani's greatness as a keeper that he was able to perform both roles with distinction.

Popularly known as 'Kiri', Syed Kirmani is generally regarded as the finest wicket keeper to play for India. Replacing the effervescent Farokh Engineer, Kirmani quickness and spunky keeping caught one's eyes. Kirmani can be ideally said to be the bridge between the spin quartet and the emergence of pace brigade led by Kapil Dev.

Kirmani's batting was dogged yet effective. He partnered Sunil Gavaskar in a record 9th wicket partnership against West Indies in 1983 at Chennai. He is always remembered for his 126 run 8th wicket stand with Kapil Dev during the 1983 WC which spared India the blushes against the crucial match against Zimbabwe, and contributed significantly behind the stumps leading to India clinching the World Cup.