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Syed Kirmani Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated October 16, 2026 • 4 min read

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Quick Info

Date of birth29 December 1949

Age75 Years

BirthplaceMadras (now Chennai)

ProfessionFormer Indian Cricketer (Wicketkeeper-batter)

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried

SpouseHabiba Kirmani

FamilySon - Sadiq Kirmani; Daughters - Nishad Fatima Kirmani, Mehnaaz Fatima Kirmani

Syed Kirmani Biography

Syed Mujtaba Hussein Kirmani, known widely as Syed Kirmani or Kiri, is a former Indian wicketkeeper-batter whose career spanned the 1970s and 1980s. Renown

Early life and background

Syed Mujtaba Hussein Kirmani was born on 29 December 1949 in Madras (now Chennai). He grew up in South India and attended St. Joseph Indian High School in Bangalore before completing a Bachelor of Arts at St. Joseph Evening College, Bengaluru. Kirmani began playing cricket as a child and first tried wicketkeeping at age 11 under improvised circumstances, an early experience that sparked a lifelong focus on keeping and batting. His hometown is listed as Hyderabad and his religion as Islam.

Career

Kirmani established himself as one of India’s leading wicketkeepers during a Test and ODI career that began in 1976. He made his Test debut on 24 January 1976 against Pakistan and his One-Day International debut on 21 February 1976 against New Zealand. His last international appearances came in early 1986, with his final Test against Australia on 2 January 1986 and his last ODI on 12 January 1986.

A right-handed batsman and a wicketkeeper by trade, Kirmani played domestic cricket for several teams, including Karnataka, Railways, Mysore, South Zone and others. He worked under coach Keki Tarapore in his formative years and was known for sharp reflexes behind the stumps and useful contributions with the bat lower down the order.

Kirmani’s international record includes notable wicketkeeping landmarks: he is credited with the third-most stumpings in Test cricket for India and shares high-series dismissal tallies, including a match where he finished with six dismissals behind the stumps early in his career. He was also the first wicketkeeper to record five dismissals behind the stumps in a single World Cup. With the bat, he holds the distinction of being the only Indian to score a century as a night watchman.

Several innings and series stand out. On his early England tour he compiled significant run totals and, in his second innings during a Test series, took six dismissals in an innings — a record-setting moment at the time. After a brief dip in form around 1978 that saw him left out of the 1979 World Cup squad, Kirmani returned strongly. In a 1981-82 series against Australia he scored an unbeaten century as a night watchman, and in 1983 he played a supporting but important role in India’s World Cup campaign, contributing crucial runs in a difficult chase and taking five catches in one match. His glovework also drew praise from commentators for specific stumpings and catches during Australia and England tours.

Kirmani produced important Test centuries in winning causes, including a 102 at Wankhede in a big partnership with Ravi Shastri that helped India secure a lead and a Test victory. Injuries during the 1985–86 Australia tour curtailed his international career, though he continued in domestic cricket for Railways and amassed an extensive domestic record: over 9,600 runs and hundreds of dismissals behind the stumps.

Post-playing career

After retirement from international cricket, Kirmani stayed active in the game's administration and development. He served as vice-president of the Karnataka State Cricket Association, chaired the national selection committee in 2004, and worked as a public relations manager for the State Bank of India. As an East Zone selector he played a role in identifying talent for Ranji Trophy sides.

Public profile

Kirmani received several honours during and after his playing days. He was named Best Sportsperson of the Year by the Karnataka government in 1968, awarded the Arjuna Award in 1980, the Padma Shri in 1982, and later the Ekalavya Award and the Col CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016. He also appeared in films, including the 1985 movie “Kabhi Ajnabi The,” and had roles in Kannada cinema.

Personal life

Kirmani married in 1979 and is the father of three children. His son, Sadiq Kirmani, has played List-A cricket for Karnataka. Two daughters are named Nishad Fatima Kirmani and Mehnaaz Fatima Kirmani; one daughter is married into the family of former Indian cricketer Abid Ali. Kirmani has been open about the early discouragement he faced from family who encouraged him to pursue a degree and a government career rather than cricket.

Latest updates

Kirmani’s long-term involvement with Karnataka cricket administration and his work in national selection are part of his continuing legacy in Indian cricket. He remains remembered for his wicketkeeping excellence, several match-defining batting contributions, and his influence on later generations both as a selector and mentor.

Editorial Review and Sources

This F4U profile is written from publicly available career and profile information, then reviewed for clarity before publication. If you spot an outdated detail about Syed Kirmani, send the page URL and a reliable correction source to f4udotin@gmail.com.

Reference context: StarsUnfolded

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Recent Work

Chairman, National Selection Committee

Served as chairman of India’s national selection committee in 2004

2004
Vice-president, Karnataka State Cricket Association

Held an executive role with KSCA post-retirement

Public Relations Manager, State Bank of India

Served in a PR role following his playing career

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Career Highlights

  1. Third most stumpings in Test cricket for India
  2. Recorded six dismissals in an innings early in his Test career
  3. First wicketkeeper with five dismissals in a World Cup match
  4. Only Indian to score a century as a night watchman
  5. Key contributor in India’s 1983 World Cup campaign
  6. Recipient of Arjuna Award (1980) and Padma Shri (1982)
Reviewed by F4U Editorial Desk

F4U profile pages are prepared from public career information, checked for readability, and updated when reliable correction sources are shared with the editorial team.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Syed Kirmani born?

Syed Kirmani was born on 29 December 1949.

What is Syed Kirmani known for?

Syed Kirmani is known for former Indian Cricketer (Wicketkeeper-batter).

What is Syed Kirmani’s marital status?

Syed Kirmani's marital status is listed as Married.

Who is Syed Kirmani married to?

Syed Kirmani is publicly listed as married to Habiba Kirmani.