Wicket keeping has come a long way since the time Syed Kirmani – arguably India’s most skilled stumper – used to play. Back in the day, it wouldn’t matter if he didn’t score runs, but what did count was that Kirmani should bag a 100/100 when his performance behind the stumps would be assessed.
However, the ever-evolving nature of cricket, from the time Kirmani retired, has changed the complexion drastically. While the roles of batsmen, bowlers and fielders have become enhanced, the idea of a specialist wicketkeeper has been put on the backburner, feels Kirmani, who kept wickets for India during their emphatic 1983 World Cup win. He does not approve of the ‘makeshift wicketkeepers’ approach, which the Indian cricket team has stuck to by making KL Rahul keep wickets so that, and in captain Virat Kohli’s words, ‘the team can strike good balance.’
“Do the knowledgeable know that a wicketkeeper has to be born? When I say born, he or she has to be gifted with “ good vision, supported with athletic agility, reflexes, sense of anticipation,” Kirmani tells Hindustan Times in an exclusive chat. “I am not sure if KL Rahul possesses this gifted ability, I have only seen this lad batting all by himself on a bowling machine at the NCA, before representing Karnataka. When he started keeping wickets, I don’t know. All the Best to him.”
From a direct pick in the Indian XI, Pant has lately been warming the bench. He did not play a single ODI or T20I for India during the tour of New Zealand despite being in the squad and his role was confined to carrying drinks on the field, or offering the batsmen a change of bats/gloves. Pant has come in for criticism in recent times for his shot selection in limited-overs cricket. India coach Ravi Shastri called for a “rap on the knuckles”, and batting coach Vikram Rathour once spoke about the importance of being fearless without being careless. Captain Kohli has also spoken of how youngsters wouldn’t get chance after chance in the highly competitive Indian sides.
