Delhi, 13 March (H.S.): Syed Abid Ali, who represented India in 29 Tests between 1967 and 1974, passed away in California at the age of 83. Known as a medium pacer, he was celebrated for his exceptional fielding and quick running between wickets. One of his most memorable achievements came during the 1971 series in England, when he hit the winning runs from No. 8 at The Oval, marking India’s first series victory in England. These runs were famously scored with a square cut that never reached the boundary due to jubilant fans.
Abid also played five ODIs, India’s first-ever, between 1974 and 1975. He took 47 wickets in his Test career, with a best of 6 for 55 in his debut against Australia. Although primarily a bowler, he scored six Test-match fifties, demonstrating allrounder capabilities. His remarkable fitness and fielding skills were highlighted by ESPNcricinfo, noting that he possessed the agility of a sprinter and the energy of a marathon runner. Unfortunately, he was considered ahead of his time for the one-day format, where his skillset would have thrived.
Abid Ali was a cricketer known for his exceptional fitness at a time when it was uncommon in the sport. This dedication earned him a reputation as an outstanding close-in fielder, particularly noted for his accurate flat throws from the outfield. V Ramnarayan, a former ESPNcricinfo columnist and young cricketer during Abid’s prime, described his rigorous training regimen, which became the source of entertaining anecdotes among peers.
Abid Ali was also a colorful personality, known for his emotional expressions on the field, often appealing to God and showing sardonic reactions to batsmen he felt were luckier than deserved. Notably, he faced a no-ball for throwing during a Test match against New Zealand, protesting what he deemed an unfair advantage for a rival bowler. Despite not becoming a household name in Indian cricket due to the dominant spin quartet of his era, Abid was a key figure for Hyderabad, participating in 212 first-class matches, claiming 397 wickets, and amassing 8,732 runs. After retiring, he transitioned to coaching, working with Andhra, UAE, and the Maldives, and lived in Tracy, California, at the time of his passing.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
