'Not easy carrying the Kirmani tag behind your name'

Growing up as the son of a reputed cricketer is never easy. The expectation levels will always be high and comparisons between the father and the son become inevitable. Sadiq Kirmani, who has been trying to make a name for himself in the domestic circles, has experienced the same. Son of Syed Kirmani, one of India's most successful wicketkeepers, Sadiq has some big shoes to fill, if expectations are anything to go by. However, the 27-year-old is unfazed about people trying to draw parallels, stressing that 'he is who he is'.

Speaking to Cricbuzz on the sidelines of Karbonn Karnataka Premier League (KPL) 2016, powered by Cycle Pure Agarbathies, Sadiq opened up about the difficulties he faced as a youngster. "It is quite difficult because he is who he is and no one can fill his shoes. It is kind of difficult to cope up with sometimes because they try and compare. All five fingers are not the same.

"He was born a wicketkeeper, he was born for this beautiful game, and it is difficult for me sometimes. But I am who I am and my father is who he is," says Sadiq, who only took up wicketkeeping because of his school team were missing a keeper and he put up his hands. "His game is different and my game is different and people should understand that. But unfortunately people go with the name, they say 'he has to do like his father, he has to keep like his father', which is not the reality, it is not possible. I just play my own game and I never think of all those things. (Growing up as Syed Kirmani's son) has been difficult, It's not easy carrying the tag behind your name."

It is generally assumed that sons of cricketers have an easy route to come up the ranks and make it to the state or national sides. However that is clearly not the case, with Sadiq being a prime example. The wicketkeeper-batsman is yet to make his first-class debut for Karnataka while he has played only two List-A games so far. Despite being a talented batsman and a safe pair of gloves, Sadiq hasn't been able to make his presence felt just yet, with two wicketkeeping options already available for Karnataka in CM Gautam and Robin Uthappa.

"People think it's very easy to climb the ladder with the name, but it's the opposite. It's doubly difficult and it's not at all a cup of tea," opines Sadiq. "We actually have to work even more harder, every time, every match, and there's a lot more pressure than the rest of the kids around the circuit. So I have the added pressure, have the added responsibility on my shoulders. I love that challenge, I like that pressure building on me. I feel that's helping me build my game, getting better with whatever I do."

"I have made my debut in the List-A format, but haven't yet made the mark in the four-day format. I'll be waiting for my opportunity. My job is to score in all three formats of the game, whether it is the four-day, Twenty20 or 50 overs, my job is to be at my best in every innings I play. Obviously, there is competition in every state. There are senior members, senior cricketers who have been playing from a long time, so hopefully my day will come and I will cement my place one day," says an optimistic Sadiq.

The highest run-getter in KPL 2015, Sadiq's name has been doing the rounds whenever the matter of IPL scouting is discussed. Although he hasn't been picked up by any franchise yet, he has been one of the front-runners in the wait. "This (KPL) is absolutely a good platform for the youngsters like me. We just have to perform to the best of our abilities and leave the rest up to the selectors or whoever is watching - IPL franchises, people who are scouting around - and just give it your all whichever tournament you play in the domestic season. It's up to them, up to the franchises whether you fit in the team or not, but our job is to go out there and have fun and perform in every match you play."

Having shared the dressing room with Stuart Binny, the son of another Indian cricketer, Sadiq has someone who he can connect with. "Both our fathers played for the country and won the first World Cup for our country. It feels good being part of this team. Both our fathers have done so much for the country, it's now our turn to do it. End of the day, when you go back to sleep, it's a very satisfying feeling."

Being the son of Syed Kirmani has its advantages, too. Apart from the the readily available inspiration and the role model to emulate, the habits of an international cricketer are also things that are inculcated at an early age.

"Absolutely," says Sadiq when asked if he has learnt anything from his father. "His punctuality, his cleanliness, his work ethics, whatever little I could grasp. I am still doing that and he's always there for me for anything which I have a doubt on. To be honest he's been so busy that he hasn't been able to work on my keeping. But whatever little I've learnt from him it's done a great deal for me. The techniques, the postures, the hand position, when the wicketkeeper has to get up with the pitch of the ball, all the basic stuff he's the master of it and there's no better person who I can go up to and ask for any advice."

A positive mindset combined with the hunger to grow as a cricketer augurs well for Sadiq, whose patience has been his biggest virtue. When greater avenues open up for him remains to be seen, but being prepared and grabbing the opportunity when it arises is the name of the game.