Salim Durrani in 1967.
| Photo Credit: The Hindu Photo Archives
Sometimes an anecdote says extra a few participant than averages or strike charges. There’s a narrative right here about cricketer Salim Durani hiding behind a newspaper within the workforce resort to keep away from assembly the chairman of selectors, Datta Ray. Relieved Ray had walked previous, he then stretches his legs. And sends the official sprawling.
Salim Durani hitting a boundary in a match between India and England at Brabourne Stadium, Bombay, on January 21, 1964.
| Photo Credit:
The Hindu Photo Archives
Durani missed two Tests of the house collection and the excursions of England, Australia and New Zealand that adopted as Ray accused him of intentionally tripping him. This says one thing concerning the participant, the selector and the state of Indian cricket within the Nineteen Sixties. The official was king and the gamers, mere pawns.
‘Destiny’s youngster’
In Ezekiel’s guide, Salim Durani: The Prince of Indian Cricket, Durani was a person issues occurred to. When these have been good issues, he lived as much as the creator’s portrayal as ‘Destiny’s Child.’
Like all larger-than-life figures, Durani attracted tales round him that balanced on the verge of the attainable. For years it was believed that he was born in Afghanistan. “I was born under the open skies in a caravan camp in the Khyber pass…” Durani clarified. If this have been a guide of fiction, would he be the unreliable narrator?
Salim Durani coaching budding cricketers in Jamnagar in January 2004.
| Photo Credit:
PTI
But this can be a biography, and an overdue one at that, of one of India’s most vibrant and gifted gamers. Ezekiel has chosen his colors properly to present us a portrait of a person with film star appears to be like who crammed stadiums, however was simply misunderstood and sometimes dismissed as wayward or temperamental. Tiger Pataudi, who led him in 15 of his 29 Tests as soon as instructed me his largest remorse was not making full use of Durani’s expertise.
But even his critics thought-about him a genius who received matches along with his left arm spin or batting alone. Durani performed an essential function in India’s first collection win in opposition to England (residence), and 10 years later, hastened India’s first win in opposition to the West Indies (away).
Ezekiel follows Durani’s profession with a scrupulousness and a focus to element that locations the runs scored and wickets taken within the context of the larger image of Indian cricket.
It is tough to not be a fan of a participant who hit sixes effortlessly and bowled out the great and nice constantly. Or paid for a bunch of associates to journey to Sharjah for his profit match after which ran out of cash as a result of he purchased all of them costly items.
Durani was distinctive, and Ezekiel tells you why.
Salim Durani: The Prince of Indian Cricket; Gulu Ezekiel, Rupa, ₹395.
The reviewer’s newest guide is Why Don’t You Write Something I Might Read?.