Salim Durani: PM Modi expressed grief over the death of Salim Durrani, know why bowlers used to fear him

New Delhi. Condoling the death of legendary Indian cricketer Salim Durrani, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he was instrumental in India’s rise in world cricket. Durrani died on Sunday at the age of 88. Prime Minister Modi tweeted, ‘Salim Durrani ji was a great cricketer and an institution in himself. He made a significant contribution to the rise of India in world cricket. He was known for his style inside and outside the field. I am saddened by his death. Condolences to his family and friends. May his soul rest in peace.’

Referring to Durrani’s close and strong ties with Gujarat, the Prime Minister said he played for Gujarat and Saurashtra for many years and also made his home in the state. He said, ‘I got a chance to talk to him and I was very impressed with his versatility. His absence will definitely be missed. Durrani lived in Jamnagar with his younger brother Jehangir Durrani. Salim Durrani, the legendary Indian cricketer of the 1960s who was known for hitting sixes on the demand of his fans, had a charming, jovial personality like a cinema hero, passed away on Sunday.

Also read: Former Indian cricketer born in Afghanistan passed away, used to hit sixes on the demand of fans, also worked in films

He was 88 years old. Sources close to his family confirmed the news of his demise. Salim Durrani was living with his younger brother Jehangir Durrani in Jamnagar, Gujarat. He had an operation in January this year after fracturing his thigh bone. Born in Kabul, Durrani was not only known for his excellent batting, but he was also a left-arm spin bowler. He played 29 test matches. Durrani played a key role in India’s 2–0 victory against England in the five-match Test series in 1961–62. He took eight and ten wickets in the Calcutta and Madras Tests respectively.

Durrani, who made a distinct identity for his clothes, style and style, scored 1202 runs while playing for India, which included one century and seven half-centuries. A decade after the victory over England, his role was instrumental in India’s victory over the West Indies in Port of Spain. He took the wickets of both Clive Lloyd and Gary Sobers. He worked with Parveen Babi in the 1973 Hindi film Charitra.

Durrani made his Test debut in Mumbai in the early sixties against Australia and played his last Test against England in February 1973 at the Brabourne Stadium. He scored 8545 runs in first-class cricket at an average of 33.37, including 14 centuries. Durrani, who specializes in tearing apart any bowling attack, was the first cricketer to receive the Arjuna Award. In domestic cricket, he played for Gujarat, Rajasthan and Saurashtra.

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