Former Indian wicketkeeper Syed Kirmani nominated for this year’s C.K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award on Thursday.
The Awards Committee met on Thursday at BCCI headquarters at Wankhede, Mumbai and unanimously nominated Kirmani for the award for 2015, according to a BCCI release.
The committee consists of BCCI president Shashank Manohar, secretary Anurag Thakur and N Ram the Editor of the Hindu.
The BCCI celebrates the birth century of Col. Cottari Kanakaiya Nayudu, the country’s first Test captain, by instituting an annual Lifetime achievement Award, to honour individuals of their unparalleled contribution to Indian cricket on and off the field.
The award comprises of a trophy, citation and cheque for Rs 25 lakhs.
Kirmani, who made his debut in 1976 against New Zealand, kept wickets against India’s famous spin quartet and did the job remarkably well.
Kirmani started his career as an understudy to Farokh Engineer. He took over the responsibility and added his charm to the role in a decade-long career. It was thanks to his tenacious approach that he scored two Test centuries in the lower order.
Against England in 1981 82, he did not concede a single bye in three consecutive Tests. Named the best keeper in the 1983 World Cup, it was Kirmani, who shared an unbeaten 126 runs partnership with Kapil Dev against Zimbabwe as the Indian captain went on to register one of India s greatest wins at Tunbridge Wells.
Kirmani also provided solid support to Sunil Gavaskar in the unbroken 143-run stand for the ninth wicket as Gavaskar made 236 not out, the then top score by an Indian against West Indies in the sixth Test at home.
The Indian government awarded him the Padma Shri in 1982.
He was the vice-president of KSCA and also the chairman of the national selection committee.