Kiran More, a former wicket-keeper batsman who represented India from the years 1984-1993, turns 56 today. Ardent cricket lovers would always his on-field tussle with Pakistan’s Javed Miandad during the 1992 World Cup where his constant appeals behind the wicket led the latter to jump on the crease!
From 2002- 2006, More held the position of the Chairman of the Selection Committee before Dilip Vengsarkar. Playing for the Indian U-19 team in the 1970s, More was a part of the Indian team that toured the West Indies in 1982-83. He was named as a back-up for first-choice Syed Kirmani but didn’t get to play a match. But two big knocks for Baroda-153* and 181* against Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy increased his stature as a top-class cricketer. In that 181-run unbeaten knock against Uttar Pradesh, More shared a 145-run partnership with Vasudev Patel-which remained a record in the Ranji Trophy for almost 10 years.
He was a part of the Australian tour in the year 1985-1986. Kirmani’s injury in the first part of the World Series Cup paved a way for him to the national side where he played in all the remaining games. He slowly established himself to be the first-choice stumper for India till 1993. He was most successful in his first Test series where he ended up with 16 catches from three Tests-which is a record for any Indian stumper against England. In Madras in the years 1988-1989, More was involved in the stumpings of six batsmen-five of those coming in the second innings.
He was the vice-captain of the Indian side led by Mohammad Azharuddin that toured New Zealand in the years 1989-1990. His highest Test score of 73 came in just his second Test.