In the annals of Indian cricket history, there are numerous tales of exceptional talents who, despite their prowess, never quite made it to the international stage. Among these unsung heroes stands Mumtaz Hussain (1947–2000), a left-arm spinner from Hyderabad whose remarkable abilities and contributions to domestic cricket deserve recognition alongside the legends of the game.
Mumtaz Hussain’s journey began in the mid-1960s when he represented Osmania University in inter-university cricket. It was here that his unique bowling skills first came to prominence, earning him the distinction of being “a sort of freak bowler who could bowl four or five kinds of deliveries, including the orthodox left-armer, the googly, the chinaman, and the finger-spun delivery that came into the batsman.”
His breakthrough moment came during the 1966–67 Rohinton Baria Trophy, where he made his first big splash with a 48-wicket haul for the Osmania University team that won the trophy for the first time. Among his notable victims was a young 17-year-old Sunil Gavaskar, whom he dismissed in the final against Bombay University with a googly, leaving the future batting legend “stranded yards down the track and stumped by a wrong ’un.”
What set Mumtaz Hussain apart in his early career was his extraordinary repertoire of deliveries. Mixing it up with the finesse of a bartender concocting cocktails, he was often unplayable—so much so that even the wicketkeeper had to devise a system of hand signals to anticipate his variations. His arsenal included the orthodox left-arm delivery, the googly, the chinaman (left-arm wrist spin), and finger-spun deliveries that would dart back into right-handed batsmen.
This versatility made him virtually unreadable during his university cricket days, where batsmen and even wicketkeepers struggled to anticipate his next delivery. His ability to deceive batsmen with such a wide range of variations was reminiscent of the great mystery spinners of the game.
Mumtaz Hussain went on to play 69 first-class matches for Hyderabad between 1966 and 1978, establishing himself as one of the premier domestic spinners of his era. His Ranji Trophy statistics remain impressive: 173 wickets at an average of 19.18 in a career spanning from 1967 to 1977.
These figures place him among the most successful spinners in domestic cricket during that period, with an average well below 20 runs per wicket—a mark of exceptional bowling in first-class cricket. His consistency over more than a decade speaks volumes about his skill and longevity in the demanding world of domestic competition.
Mumtaz Hussain was an integral part of what many consider the golden era of Hyderabad cricket. He was a key member of the illustrious Hyderabad side led by M.L. Jaisimha and featuring the likes of Tiger Pataudi, Abbas Ali Baig, and Abid Ali. This team was studded with international stars and future legends of Indian cricket.
Beyond his bowling prowess, Mumtaz was described as a hard-hitting lower-order batsman and a brilliant all-round fielder, making him a valuable three-dimensional player for his state team. His contributions extended beyond just taking wickets—he could change games with bat, ball, and fielding brilliance.
Perhaps the most poignant aspect of Mumtaz Hussain’s career was how close he came to representing India. When the West Indies toured India in 1966–67, Mumtaz was included in the 14, along with the then-unknown Bishan Bedi for one of the tour games. As fate would have it, Bedi made the final eleven, took a few wickets—and the rest, as they say, is history.
This moment proved to be the sliding-doors incident of his career. Had he been selected instead of Bedi for that crucial match, cricket history might have been very different. His spinning colleague V. Ramnarayan believed that “Mumtaz could have done equally well, if given that one break, and in a period where international batsmen did not handle spinners with the assurance they show today, could have gone on to become a world-beater.”
Tragically, when Mumtaz graduated to the Ranji level, he became just an orthodox left-arm spinner for the most part. Somewhere down the line he cut out his variations—or was told to cut them out—and lapsed into being a “very accurate but comparatively harmless bowler.” This transformation from mystery spinner to conventional left-armer may have cost him his chance at international recognition.
The reasons for this change remain a subject of speculation—whether it was coaching advice, pressure to conform, or a personal decision to prioritize accuracy over variation. What is certain is that Indian cricket lost a unique talent when Mumtaz Hussain simplified his bowling style.
Despite never wearing the Indian colours, Mumtaz Hussain’s contribution to cricket extends beyond statistics. He was part of a generation of domestic cricketers who maintained the high standards of Indian first-class cricket during the 1960s and 1970s. His career spanned over a decade, during which he mentored younger players and contributed richly to Hyderabad’s cricketing culture.
Like his contemporaries Rajinder Goel and Padmakar Shivalkar, he was unfortunate to miss India selection, his prime coinciding with the rise of Bishan Bedi. This comparison, however, places him in illustrious company—both Goel and Shivalkar are considered among the finest spinners never to have played Test cricket.
Mumtaz Hussain passed away in Hyderabad on May 5, 2000, after losing his battle with cancer at the age of 52. His death marked the end of an era and served as a reminder of the many talented cricketers who contributed significantly to Indian cricket without receiving due recognition.
His former teammate V. Ramnarayan’s tribute captured the essence of the man: “a very dear friend and as someone who came one step away from playing for India.” This phrase—“one step away”—perhaps best summarizes the career of Mumtaz Hussain.
Mumtaz Hussain’s story is both inspirational and melancholic. It celebrates the depth of talent in Indian domestic cricket while highlighting the cruel realities of selection and timing in professional sports. His record of 173 wickets at 19.18 in the Ranji Trophy stands as testament to his skill, while his near-miss with international cricket serves as a reminder of how fine the margins can be between recognition and obscurity.
In the broader narrative of Indian cricket, Mumtaz Hussain represents the countless dedicated cricketers who formed the backbone of domestic cricket, maintaining its competitive standards and nurturing the next generation. While he may not have achieved international fame, his contribution to Hyderabad cricket and his role in one of the state’s most successful teams ensures his place in the rich tapestry of Indian cricket history.
His legacy serves as inspiration for current domestic cricketers and a reminder that excellence in cricket is not solely measured by international appearances, but also by the impact one has on teammates, opponents, and the broader cricketing community.
