Durrani, the primary cricketer to win the Arjuna Award, had undergone surgical procedure in January after fracturing his thigh bone.
Younger modern-day followers would possibly marvel what was so particular concerning the all-rounder after watching his worldwide profession: 29 Exams. 1,204 runs (avg: 25) and 75 wickets (avg: 35) unfold over 13 years (1960–73). however like his fictional namesake salim sinai In Salman Rushdie’s Midnight’s Kids, Durani was in central positions at a number of key moments in India’s cricket historical past.
Durani’s left-arm spin – he took 10 wickets at Madras – was long-established for India’s 2–0 victory over England in 1961–62 when collection victories had been as uncommon as movies with out songs. Just a few months later, the southpaw hit a 104-run counterattack on West Indies’ intimidating Wes Corridor when a number of others “crumpled”. At a time when Prince Salim of Mughal-e-Azam had hundreds of thousands of brains, Durani grew to become Shehzada (Prince) Salim of the folks. He was a hero and a star was one.
PM Modi hailed Durani as a “cricketing legend and an establishment in himself”.
‘Shehzada’ Salim was the sixer king
In 1971, the left-arm spinner famously promised captain Ajit Wadekar that he would get the wickets of Garry Sobers and Clive Lloyd. Durani did the speaking, resulting in India’s maiden win over the formidable Windies in Port of Spain. And in 1973, the left-handed batsman endured ache to hit two match-winning sixes on a diabolical monitor, successful yet one more collection towards England.
Today when 15 sixes will be hit in an IPL sport, it’s simple to problem the mastery of somebody who has hit solely 15 sixes in his whole Take a look at profession. However then once more these had been the times of various bats and mindset. No Indian cricketer of that technology averaged higher per match, roughly a six each different Take a look at. “They are saying lifting the ball is harmful. I say life itself is harmful,” quipped the Kabul-born Durani to The Illustrated Weekly of India in 1979.
In the course of the 1972–73 collection, he typically hit a six as a result of the group mentioned, “We wish a six”, which earned him a popularity for hitting sixes on demand. In a 1979 article, Durani identified that this was not the case. “Let me make clear this notion about hitting a six by ‘public demand’.” It so occurred that among the sixes I hit within the 1972-73 collection had been in step with public demand.”
Durani’s mother and father lived in Afghanistan, however they moved first to Karachi after which to Jamnagar in pre-independence India. His Afghan origins helped construct a bridge between the 2 international locations when he was made the particular visitor at Afghanistan’s first Take a look at match towards India in Bengaluru in 2018.
skilled and directed by the nice Vinoo MankadDurani, who additionally performed for Jamnagar, hit a stroke-filled century for Saurashtra towards Gujarat in his Ranji debut. trophy Video games in 1953. He additionally performed home cricket for Gujarat, however solid a long-term affiliation with Rajasthan; The kings of the western kingdom performed an necessary function in his life.
The all-rounder was key to Central Zone’s Duleep Trophy win in 1972 towards the star-studded West Zone. Durani took 9 wickets and single-handedly scored an unbeaten 83 to safe a two-wicket win.
He ought to have performed extra Exams. Gavaskar wrote in his autobiography ‘Sunny Days’, “…folks name him a ‘promiscuous genius’. I do not learn about his promiscuousness, however he actually is a ‘genius’.” West Indies obtained a style of his abilities in 1971 at Port-of-Spain. Over six ft tall, Durani might flip and bounce the ball and conjure up an unplayable supply on a supportive floor, reminiscent of sneaking up on Sobers’ bat and lifting the pads and leg bails.
Ajit Wadekar mentioned, “It was a dream supply. Within the age of tv that ball was performed repeatedly. And doubtless just like the Shane Warne supply that bowled Mike Gatting via the legs.” , who captained India in that sport, instructed this reporter in 2006.
Durrani’s seems to be and recognition ultimately earned him the lead function in ‘Charitra’ (1973). Enjoying the function of a playboy industrialist, he was paired reverse Parveen Babi in BR Ishara Flop. Speaking to this reporter in 2007, the cricketer additionally recalled taking pictures for an additional movie ‘Aakhri Din Pehli Raat’. “Meena Kumari wrote the story of the movie. We shot about eight reels. Sadly, the movie might by no means be accomplished.” DuraniWho was additionally thought of for roles in ‘Pakeezah’ and ‘Sharmeeli’.
For a few years he should have been seen having fun with his drink on the Press Membership of India in Delhi.
His experiences with the cricket and movie world would have made for an pleasing autobiography. Gavaskar even advised a reputation for the e book: Ask for a Six. Sadly, Durrani by no means observed this.