'What have I done for my family's financial health?'

During a career that spanned 49 Tests and 94 ODIs, Kiran More showed how grit and attitude can win over flair. Apart from being considered one of the most technically correct Indian wicket keepers to grace the field, More was also renowned for his pugnacious approach to the game that saw the little man stand up to many greats of his era, including Javed Miandad and Viv Richards. He also holds the world record for the highest number of stumpings (6) in a Test match.

You played your last Test at 31 and carried on playing first class cricket for 4 more years. Was the thought of retirement a constant battle in your head?

When it's time you know, I retired at the age of 35. There were moments in the lead-up to my retirement where I would sit at home looking at my young daughters playing around and think about the times I have not been present at their birthdays or their annual days due to constant traveling.

I talked about it with my wife and family who were very supportive. It's not easy leaving the sport that has been your identity or has defined your life for well over two decades. But there are certain stages in life where you need to make some tough decisions, and when I looked around my shoulder, I saw young talent on the fringes ready to step up. I thought moving on was the right call.

Were there any withdrawal symptoms?

It is every cricketer's dream to keep on playing. I was fortunate that I made my debut in the historic Test series victory against England in 1986. My last Test series in Sri Lanka ended in an Indian victory, which was also the first time we won over there. Of course, I would have felt hard done by but no complaints. Today, sitting back I think that's part of the game and part of the journey. That's what happens in life so there is no regret at all.

What were the kind of thoughts that you woke up to the morning after you retired?

I was a father of two and the first question I asked myself was what have I done so far for my family's financial health? I still remember it was a complete struggle during those times. There wasn't much money in international cricket. You couldn't really survive by only playing domestic cricket, where you got around Rs 4000 per game.

I kept on playing for Baroda for 4-5 years after playing my last international game. At one point, you do wonder how long you can keep at it with so little money. I had a job under the sports quota with TATA but of course it wasn't very lucrative. I had started my cricket academy too 2-3 years before I retired but had not charged money at all from the boys. So that morning. I wondered what I was doing with myself.

And then you tried your hand at a few businesses?

Oh yes, I am a very bad businessman. I ventured unsuccessfully into many businesses over the years. I opened up a sports shop. I also opened up a United Colours of Benneton (UCB) garment store. People may not know but I also owned a cricket helmet manufacturing firm called Forma, which was quite famous in the early 2000s. But then I had to sell that off eventually too.

But I am very proud of the work that I have put in at my academy and the way I have sustained it for more than 24 years. The coaches at the academy have worked very hard to nurture a lot of first class and India cricketers including Munaf (Patel), Hardik and Krunal (Pandya).

How regular are you at the academy?

I do have a staff of coaches but I make it a point to go to the academy every day and sometimes I am even present for two coaching sessions. I have a huge passion for coaching. It gives me immense pleasure. I am in a position to work with young wicket keepers from around the country. I constantly try to learn and find out new things about wicket keeping even after all these years.

You spent considerable time as an India cricketer even deputizing to Mohammad Azharuddin for a brief point of time. Did you find it difficult not being surrounded by flash bulbs and fans once you hung up your boots?

I never felt anything like that to be honest. Even today people recognize me when I am at a public place such as an airport and want to take pictures. Even after I finished cricket or even when I wasn't part of the Indian team there were many fans who used to send handwritten letters especially on my birthday. So, well before your Twitters and Instagrams I remember fans actually trying to find my address and traveling from different parts of the country to get a picture or a photograph. Fans always have a special place in a sportsman's life.

I remember making friends with an Indian fan living in Jamaica on India's tour of 1982 and 1989. I went back to Jamaica in 2006 after 17 long years as the chief selector of the Indian team. By the time of the 4th test in Jamaica some of the boys literally begged to the team management to arrange for some good Indian food. I called up this fan who I haven't talked to in 17 years requesting for some home cooked Indian food and the very next day he arranged some delicious Indian food for the players.

What is it that you missed the most about your life as a cricketer? Most former players say it's the camaraderie in the dressing-room.

Believe it or not, my best mate was my fiercest competitor, Chandrakant Pandit who I am on really good terms with even today. He was also my roommate on almost all the Indian tours. Sunil Gavaskar used to joke around saying me and Pandit should have a wrestling match in our room on the morning of a Test match where the last man standing gets to play in the final 11. And the memories. People remember my showdown with Javed Miandad in 1992 but what many don't know is we shared very cordial relations before that incident.

I remember this incident from the 1989 tour which still leaves me in splits. It was his 100th Test and he was determined to get a big one after surviving a couple of plumb LBW shouts. Suddenly out of nowhere Javed hummed a Mehdi Hasan ghazal out of nowhere. Me and Sanjay Manjrekar at short leg cracked up and kept bugging him every now and then saying 'Javed bhai aur ek ho jaaye' until he got out. To our utter surprise 'the Ghalib' had a gem up his sleeve every time we asked for one.

You had that knack of being very competitive and getting under the opposition's skin. How did you manage to satisfy that craving?

As many wicketkeepers I always tried to provoke many batsmen. In the 1989 Jamaica Test, Vivian Richards was batting on 65 and got stumped by a mile. To my utter distress the square leg umpire turned down the appeal. From then on, I started chirping a lot and got into the umpire's head, so much so that the umpire made a big howler not too long after that and adjudged Richards caught behind. Richards wasn't amused and the game had to be stopped for a couple of hours as the crowd started chanting 'More! You cheat!' But I have calmed down since and carry a completely different personality off the field.

Also read: The story of Jack Russell - how painting helped to keep himself busy after retiring from the game