Former Indian Cricketer Abid Ali Passes Away at 82

Girja Shankar Dixit

Hyderabad: Former Indian all-rounder Syed Abid Ali, a key figure in Indian cricket during the 1960s and ’70s, passed away in the United States after a prolonged illness. He was 82.

A dynamic lower-order batsman and a sharp medium-pace bowler, Abid Ali made an unforgettable Test debut against Australia in 1967, taking six wickets in Brisbane. Known for his electric fielding and sharp reflexes, he played a crucial role alongside India’s legendary spin quartet—Chandrasekhar, Prasanna, Bedi, and Venkatraghavan.

His aggressive style and swift running between the wickets made him an ideal one-day cricketer, though the format gained prominence only after his retirement. His contributions were not limited to the national team; he also served as coach of the Andhra Ranji team in the 2000-01 season.

Abid Ali’s career came to an abrupt end after a strong performance in the 1975 World Cup, where he top-scored with 70 against New Zealand. His legacy, however, remained intact, and he is remembered as one of India’s finest all-rounders before the Kapil Dev era.

He is survived by his son and daughter.