Former India cricketer Salim Durani passes away aged 88

Former Indian cricketer Salim Durani passed away at the age of 88 due to age-related ailments. Durani played 29 Tests for India and took 75 wickets, with his best bowling figures being 10 for 177. He also scored 1202 runs with the highest score of 104 against West Indies in 1962.

Durani was known for his heroic performance in India’s series victory against England in 1961-62. He played a crucial role in guiding India to a 2-0 series victory, scalping eight and ten wickets in the Kolkata and Chennai Tests respectively.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi led tributes on Twitter along with others.

Durani was born to Afghan parents with a Pathani lineage and entertained fans from his first Ranji Trophy match against Gujarat, bowling with a lot of cunning. He was dropped from the team for four seasons from 1967 to 1970 but was recalled for the 1971 tour of the West Indies, where he played a crucial role in India’s historic first series win there. He was instrumental in dismissing left-handers Garry Sobers and Clive Lloyd and helping India secure a win in the Port of Spain Test and the series itself.

Durani also dabbled in Bollywood, starring opposite renowned actor Praveen Babi in the movie Charitra in 1973. He made his Test debut against Australia in 1960 and played his last international match against England in February 1973.

Durani was India’s first Arjuna Award winner in cricket and played Ranji Trophy for Saurashtra, Rajasthan, and Gujarat. He was known for his ability to demolish any bowling attack on his day and had the ability to get the ball to lift and turn on any surface with a bit of help. The cricketer had a special relationship with the crowd, who once expressed their anger after he was dropped from the team for a match in Kanpur, carrying banners and placards that read ‘No Durani, no test!’.