The forgotten hero of Indian Sports: Salim Durani

New Delhi: India has many cricketing legends, some played for a longer duration and some served for short period yet they became famous for their game. Today we will discuss about an Indian test cricketing legend who played for India for 13 years and won the hearts of spectators with his game. The player is none other than all-rounder Salim Aziz Durani.Durani was born on 11 Dec 1934 in Kabul (Afghanistan) becoming the only Indian cricket player of foreign nationality. Salim debuted in 1960 against Australia and played his last test match against England on 6th Feb 1973. During his 13-year-long career he played 29 tests for India in which he scored 1202 runs with an average of 25.04 and took 75 wickets. As he was a slow left arm orthodox bowler, he became India's hero during the England series in 1961-62. He picked 8 and 10 wickets in two test matches. A decade later, Salim Durani picked the wickets of West Indian dangerous batsmen Clive Lloyd and Gary Sobers to help India win the test match at Port of Spain. Salim Durani was the only batsman of that time who was known for his sixer hitting prowess. He was famous for responding with a six whenever the crowd demanded. Whenever the crowd shouted “We want a sixer” Durrani tried to oblige them with one. He was so popular among Indian cricket fans that once when he was dropped from th Indian team for Kanpur test in 1973, spectators were seen holding placards stating "No Durani, no Test". Salim Aziz Durani was the first Indian cricketer who got India's coveted award for sports 'Arjuna Award'. Also he was awarded with C K Nayadu Lifetime Achievement Award by the BCCI in 2011.