Syed Kirmani: Cricket icon’s story finds home in White Owl Fest

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  Syed Kirmani during an interaction with journalists at Chümoukedima on Sunday.

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• DIMAPUR — Legendary Indian cricketer and member of the 1983 World Cup-winning team, Syed Kirmani, shared anecdotes about his cricketing journey from his recently published autobiography, ‘Stumped: Life behind and beyond the twenty-two yards,’ during an interactive session at The White Owl, Chümoukedima, on Sunday.
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• Kirmani is currently in Nagaland to take part in the three-day Literature Festival and Book Fair, scheduled from February 17 to the 19th at Zone Niathu By the Park, Chümoukedima.
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• Recalling memories of the 1983 World Cup, he shared that the Indian team was considered the fourth weakest team and that they never ever expected to even qualify for the knockout stage.
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• “My mind was only to do my best and keep the tri-colour flying high. That was my intention. That has been my intention, and that will be my intention at all times, wherever I am, in whatever discipline in life,” he said.
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• Kirmani, rated among India’s best wicket-keepers, shared that the main highlight of his autobiography is for readers to find a lot of inspirational anecdotes and guidance for the youngsters on how they can climb the ladder of success.
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• When asked whether political involvement hinders sports, he replied that politics inevitably plays a role in every aspect of human life.
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• On the changing scenario of cricket formats, he said that new concepts and new ideas have to take place.
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• “It all started after we won the 1983 World Cup; I can very proudly say that we laid a very strong foundation for the current era of administration and the cricketers to build stories on top of our foundation,” he said.
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• He also recalled that during their era, there was a lot of misunderstanding between the players ‘as mistakes were committed by the umpires,’ and hence the introduction of neutral umpires.
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• On the transition period when coloured uniforms replaced white jerseys during the ODIs in the late 1980s, Kirmani commented that “it is exciting to see the beautiful colour combination of jerseys, which are being displayed by the cricketers all over the world.”
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• When asked whether he would prefer a cricketer, a businessman, or a politician to manage cricket in India, he replied that whoever it may be, “if he is doing a good job as an administrator, as a cricketer,” then that person should be appreciated.
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• Sharing his cricketing journey, Kirmani said that he was at the peak of his career when he was dropped from the Indian team. Nonetheless, he made three comebacks starting from 1979, and since then there was “no room to fret, frown, gripe, or cry.”
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• He went on to inform that in his book, there are the two facts that he had gone through without being prejudiced.
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• “It's very difficult for anybody, by and large, to accept the truth as the truth has to be taken not with a pinch of salt but with a bag full of salt.”
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• On whether the BCCI should allow the Indian cricket team to represent the country and play in Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, he responded that between the two countries, the media “writes traditional rivalry, but they have fantastic camaraderie within the players.”
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• When asked about any plans of meeting the Nagaland Cricket Association, Kirmani said he was ready to offer his services and support in whatever way the association wants his services.
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• He further encouraged the youngsters to “never give up, believe in themselves, be honest with total sincerity, and work hard in all disciplines of life.”

Also read: Cricketer Syed Kirmani, author Durjoy Dutta to participate in The White Owl Lit Fest Nagaland