Salim Durani, a former cricketer and a key figure in India’s historic series win over England, passed away on Sunday at the age of 88.
Durani, a left-handed orthodox bowler and aggressive batsman who played 29 Tests for India between 1960 and 1973, recorded his lone century against the West Indies.
“Gutted to hear about the passing away of one of Team India legends Salim Durani,” Jay Shah, secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), wrote on Twitter.
“Today, we have lost one of Indian cricket’s crown jewels. Condolences to his family. RIP Salim Durani ji.”
Durani, a Kabul native, excelled at hitting sixes in first-class cricket and represented the Indian regions of Gujarat, Rajasthan, and the former Saurashtra.
“I have had the opportunity to interact with him and was deeply impressed by his multifaceted persona. He will surely be missed,” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted.
Durani was a key player in India’s first-ever series win over England in 1961–1962, taking a total of 10 wickets in Madras after taking eight wickets in Calcutta (now Kolkata). (now Chennai).
When he removed Gary Sobers for a duck and Clive Lloyd for a dismissal in 1971 in Port of Spain against the West Indies, he was a crucial part of another historic victory.
After protests from supporters who carried placards and shouted “No Durani, no Test” during the 1973 Kanpur Test against England, he was reinstated for the following match.
Durani, a tall and affable actor, has also appeared in a Bollywood movie.
