Salim Durrani

Salim Durrani was one of the most exciting players that ever played the game. He broke into the scene at a time when there were too many plodders and the game dull to watch. He made cricket exciting to watch and would have been ideally suited to the present dame game, especially the one day variety.

He combined film star looks with a charismatic personality and the crowd adored him wherever he played. A big hitter with a cavalier attitude, he would usually arrive at the crease to shouts of “sixers” and deliver them on demand. In trying to please he would often throw his wicket away. He played at a time when cricket had not yet attracted the money that is part and parcel of today’s game and it could be said of him that he played neither for the record book nor for the money. No wonder he was the darling of the crowd.

Durrani was a class act. He could have been one of the greatest all-rounders in the history of Indian cricket if he had enjoyed the same playing opportunities that the likes of Kapil Dev had. Indeed there were some who considered him to be the greatest all rounder ever who played for India, and even compared him to the great Gary Sobers, although he himself disagreed.

To those who saw him play he would remain as one of the greatest underachievers of the game.