“In 1971, the Ranji Centenary match was held in Jamnagar. Australian cricketers Ross Edwards and Bob Massey additionally got here. The staff included the nice Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, Abid Ali, ML Jaisimha, Eknath Solkar and extra. Sunil Gavaskar, However the spectators got here to see Salim Durani’s batting and the left-handed batsman didn’t disappoint. His innings of 75 included sixes which went exterior the bottom,” mentioned Jadeja.
Legendary opener Sunil Gavaskar mentioned he was “fortunate” to make his debut (in West Indies in 1971) with a star-studded Indian staff that had the legendary all-rounder as a senior member.
Referring to Durrani as ‘Salim uncle’, he instructed TOI, “One of many biggest and nicest, nicest, nicest males. So beneficiant. I used to be fortunate and blessed to have spent my time in a staff like that.” Began, which had gamers like ALW (Ajit Wadekar), MLJ (ML Jaisimha), Prasi (Erapalli Prasanna), Sardi Mann (Dilip Sardesai) and Salim Chacha.
some names.
Gavaskar mentioned: “He would have gone for the utmost within the IPL public sale right now.” Former left-arm quick bowler Karsan Ghavri mentioned that Durrani had an enormous affect on cricket followers in these days. “In 1972-73, when England got here right here beneath Tony Lewis, they had been to play a Take a look at on the Brabourne Stadium in Bombay (now Mumbai).
I noticed him enjoying in Exams for the primary time. Initially, he was not named within the 14 for that Take a look at. Nevertheless, after huge protests from Bombay’s cricket-loving public and strain from the media (TOI made an enormous headline: No Salim Durani, no Take a look at matches in Bombay), the BCCI accepted him because the fifteenth member. Pressured to hitch the staff.
As soon as he was in 15, he was to be included within the XI. The followers threatened to burn down the stadium and the BCCI workplace if he didn’t play within the match! Remembered Ghavri.
“I watched that match sitting within the North Stand. He scored 73 runs. He toddy (dominated) gamers like Derek Underwood and Pat Pocock. In that Take a look at, he famously hit sixes wherever the spectators wished him to hit sixes! Such was the extent of his reputation,” mentioned Ghavri.
Narrating one other incident, the previous left-arm pacer mentioned, “The 2 balls he bowled to dismiss Garry Sobers and Clive Lloyd had been historic balls within the 1971 win at Port-of-Spain.
He had instructed his roommate Dilip Sardesai within the earlier innings about his want to dismiss Sobers. When Sobers got here out to bat, Sardesai conveyed that message to Wadekar, and advised that he carry on Durani.
Wadekar accepted that suggestion, and the remaining, as they are saying, is historical past.
If this was not sufficient, he hit a century in opposition to a West Indies assault which included Wes Corridor and Charlie Griffith.
On January 13 this yr, Durrani underwent proximal femoral nail surgical procedure on his damaged thigh bone to deal with a fall at his house.
After this surgical procedure, he was suggested mattress relaxation. He was fantastic for 2 months. He used to take strong meals. However two weeks in the past, he started avoiding strong meals, probably on account of digestive points or a whole lack of bodily exercise. He began taking liquid meals, however turned weak.
Durani was the primary cricketer to be awarded the Arjuna Award, India’s second highest sporting honour.
In 2011, the BCCI honored Durani with the CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award.