Legendary Indian Cricketer Salim Durrani passes away at 88
He breathed his last at his home in Jamnagar, Gujarat
Apr 2, 2023, 16:38 IST
Durrani was the first cricketer to receive the Arjuna Award
Salim Durrani, the Afghanistan born Indian cricketer passed away at his home in Jamnagar, Gujarat, on April 2, 2023. He was 88. He was born on 11 December 1934 in Kabul.
Durrani was a left arm batsman and left arm spin bowler. He played 29 tests for India, scoring 1,202 runs and took 75 wickets across his career. In his Ranji career, he played for Saurashtra, Rajasthan and Gujarat. Salim took prominence for his role in the rout of England, where he took 8 and 10 wickets in Calcutta (Kolkatta) and Madras (Chennai) respectively in the 1961-62 series.
“Salim Durani Ji was a cricketing legend, an institution in himself. He made a key contribution to India’s rise in the world of cricket. On and off the field, he was known for his style. Pained by his demise. Condolences to his family and friends. May his soul rest in peace. Salim Durani Ji had a very old and strong association with Gujarat. He played for Saurashtra and Gujarat for a few years. He also made Gujarat his home. I have had the opportunity to interact with him and was deeply impressed by his multifaceted persona. He will surely be missed" - Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Salim Durrani was known for his ability to hit sixes on demand and was the first cricket to be felicitated with the coveted Arjuna Award. Having made his debut in 1960, he played his last Test in February 1973 against England. In his First Class career, he scored 8,545 runs, with 14 centuries and an average of 33.37. His rapport with the spectators was such that when he was dropped from the Kanpur series in 1973, spectators were agitated and demonstrated inside and outside the ground with placards saying " No Durrani, No Test".
Durrani also made a maiden appearance in the Bollywood flick Charitra with Parveen Babi in 1973.
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