Girja Shankar Dixit
Rusi Surti, born on May 25, 1936, in Surat, Gujarat, stands out as one of Indian cricket’s most versatile and underappreciated all-rounders. Playing in an era when Indian cricket was still finding its feet on the global stage, Surti’s contributions with bat, ball, and in the field made him a vital cog in the national team throughout the 1960s.
Surti’s journey began in the cricketing heartlands of Gujarat and Rajasthan, where his natural athleticism and left-handed flair quickly caught attention. He debuted for India in the 1960–61 season, making an immediate impact by scoring 64 at No. 3 against Pakistan in only his second Test.
What set Surti apart was his rare ability to contribute to every department:
- As a left-handed batsman, Surti could adapt to any position in the order. He combined steadiness with the ability to accelerate when needed, making him a flexible asset for the team.
- His bowling was equally versatile. He could open the bowling with left-arm medium pace, slanting it across right-handers, and later switch to left-arm orthodox spin depending on the match situation.
- At a time when Indian fielding was not highly regarded, Surti’s agility and anticipation made him a crowd favourite—especially in Australia, where fans would chant, “Hit a ball past Surti.”
Surti’s international career spanned from 1960 to 1969, during which he played 26 Tests, scoring 1,263 runs at an average of 28.70 and taking 42 wickets at 46.71. While these numbers may not seem extraordinary by modern standards, they were significant in the context of Indian cricket of his era.
Surti’s finest hour came during the 1967–68 tours of Australia and New Zealand. In Australia, he was India’s leading run-scorer, amassing 367 runs at 45.87 and taking 15 wickets at 35.20 in four Tests—second only to the legendary E.A.S. Prasanna among Indian bowlers.
His performances included a gutsy 70 at Adelaide and a five-wicket haul (5/74) in the same match. At Brisbane, his scores of 52 and 64, along with three wickets in each innings, almost led India to a memorable win.
The momentum continued in New Zealand, where Surti played a crucial role in India’s first-ever overseas series victory. He scored 321 runs at 45.85 and took seven wickets. In the Auckland Test, he notched his career-best score of 99, falling agonisingly short of a century on a challenging wicket.
Surti’s all-round skills earned him the nickname “Poor man’s Garry Sobers” in Indian circles—a testament to his ability to influence matches in multiple ways. He was also a prolific performer in first-class cricket, scoring over 8,000 runs, taking 284 wickets, and holding 122 catches—reflecting his value as a complete cricketer.
Despite his success abroad, Surti’s international career ended abruptly after a dip in form during home Tests, where he managed just 50 runs and two wickets in his final three matches. He was soon replaced by another promising left-handed all-rounder, Eknath Solkar. Surti then moved to Australia, where he played for Queensland in the Sheffield Shield, remaining out of contention for Indian selection.
Surti’s career numbers—1,263 Test runs, 42 wickets, and a highest score of 99—may not leap off the page today, but his contributions were invaluable to the Indian team of his time. He was a pioneer, showing that Indian cricketers could excel as genuine all-rounders and world-class fielders.
Rusi Surti’s cricketing journey is a story of versatility, resilience, and quiet excellence. In an era when Indian cricket was still developing its identity, Surti’s all-round skills and fielding brilliance set new benchmarks. Though often overshadowed by bigger names, his legacy endures as a trailblazer who proved that Indian cricketers could match the world’s best in every department of the game. For those who cherish the rich tapestry of Indian cricket history, Rusi Surti remains a name worthy of admiration and respect.
