Former India cricketer Salim Durani breathed his last on Sunday morning at his home in Jamnagar, confirmed his family sources. Durani was suffering from age-related ailments. He was 88.
He had been living with his younger brother in Jamnagar, Gujarat. Reportedly he had undergone a proximal femoral nail surgery after he broke his thigh bone in a fall in January this year.
Tributes pour in for Durani from all quarters. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid condolences to the cricketer. “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,” he tweeted.
Ravi Shastri also paid condolences to the former Indian cricketer.
Easily one of the most colourful cricketers of India - Salim Durani.
— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) April 2, 2023
Rest in Peace. ॐ शांति 🙏 pic.twitter.com/d5RUST5G9n
BCCI secretary Jay Shah said Indian cricket had lost one of its crown jewels in Durani's death.
"Gutted to hear about the passing away of one of Team India legends Salim Durani. Today, we have lost one of Indian cricket's crown jewels," wrote Shah.
"India's first Arjuna Award winning cricketer and a man who hit sixes on public demand, Salim Durani," tweeted former India batter V.V.S. Laxman.
"You have not seen that sportsperson, but you develop a great sense of admiration and wish you were lucky to see that sportsperson in action. Very rarely you become a fan boy of someone just by hearing about him/her. That is what #SalimDurani did to you," wrote W.V. Raman, former India cricketer.
Durani had played 29 Tests for India and took 75 wickets, with the best bowling figure of 10 for 177, reported Sportstar.
He had scored a total of 1202 runs with the highest score of 104 against West Indies in Port of Spain. In the match against West Indies, he dismissed both Clive Lloyd and Sir Garfield Sobers. He had played a key role in India's victory against the match.
The Kabul-born Durani was an all-rounder and his playing was instrumental in India defeating England 2-0 in the historic five-match Test series in 1961-62. He picked eight and 10 wickets in the team's victories at Calcutta and Madras.
Durani was known for his heroic looks and swag dressing style. Though he had seven 50s in the 50 innings he played for the country, scoring the total of 1202 runs, he just scored only one century.
He had also dabbled in Bollywood movie Charitra in 1973. He starred opposite renowned actor Praveen Babi.
(With PTI inputs)
