Calcutta: Sadiq, the 25-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman who is part of the Karnataka State Cricket Association XI squad, not only has to fight for a place in the playing XI, he also has to deal with the burden of expectations that come with his surname. He’s a Kirmani…

Son of former India ’keeper Syed Kirmani, Sadiq loves challenges, but admits that there is too much pressure on him because of people’s love for comparisons. “People expect so much from me… Because I’m a ’keeper too, like my dad… The situationoften becomes very difficult for me,” Sadiq told The Telegraph.

Interestingly, it was by accident that he became a ’keeper. “As a child, I was interested in different types of games. Then one day, the school team didn’t have a ’keeper and I just raised my hand… That was the beginning…

“My dad never pressurised me to become a ’keeper, but he was obviously happy when I took the job seriously,” he said.

Sadiq was not part of the KSCA XI team that took on the BCB XI, in the SK Acharya Memorial Challenger Trophy, at the JU Salt Lake Campus ground, on Tuesday, as KC Avinash was the choice for the ’keeper’s slot.

Sadiq hasn’t yet played a first-class or a List A match. But he is prepared to wait.

For Sadiq, who is a fan of Adam Gilchrist, his dad’s advice is precious. “My dad always says, ‘Be consistent and prove yourself again and again’… I’m ready to wait...If it’s in my luck, it will happen.”