Watch: Reminiscing Salim Durani’s monstrous hits against Jack Birkenshaw, Norman Gifford during the 1972-73 Tests
Former India all-rounder Salim Durani, with a movie star looks, a puckish sense of humour, and a penchant for hitting monstrous sixes on demand, died on Sunday.
Condolences from all over the world have been pouring in since the news of the legendary cricketer’s death broke.
Fans, as well as the cricketing fraternity, have been sharing videos that demonstrate the brilliant stroke making prowess he possessed.
One such video from the 1972-73 Bombay Test, where Durrani hits Jack Birkenshaw for a six has surfaced online.
Watch:
Salim Durani hits Jack Birkenshaw for six in the 1972-73 Bombay Test. Video from @jaigalagali
This hit took him from 49 to 55. pic.twitter.com/OetQ5JxvYw
— Rameses (@tintin1107) April 2, 2023
Another video of him hitting Norman Gifford into the stands during the third Test at Madras in 1972–73 is also doing the rounds on Twitter.
Watch:
Hi, @tintin1107 – this is the video you refer to – Salim Durani hitting Norman Gifford into the stands at Madras, 3rd Test, 1972/73 – he got a brace of 38s on this occasion, limping and in his penultimate Test pic.twitter.com/BfeJa6rwYC
— Marcus60s70s80sCricket (@Marcus60s70s80s) April 2, 2023
The Kabul-born Durani, who packed a punch with his bat and was also a handy left-arm orthodox bowler, played 29 Tests and was instrumental in India defeating England 2-0 in the horic five-match Test series in 1961-62, picking up eight and 10 wickets in the team’s victories at Calcutta and Madras.
Durani, known for his fine dressing style and swagger, scored just one century though he had seven fifties in the 50 innings he played for the country, scoring 1,202 runs.
A decade after the epic triumph against England, he played a key role in helping India to victory against the West Indies in Port of Spain, dismissing both Clive Lloyd and Sir Garfield Sobers.
The star cricketer also dabbled in Bollywood, starring opposite renowned actor Praveen Babi in the movie Charitra in 1973.
