Salim Durani was my childhood superstar. Piyush Pandey

Ad guru andu00a0former teammate recalls Salim's last first-class matchu00a0with fondness

Salim Durani was my childhood superstar. As an eight-year-old, I used to run to watch him play Ranji Trophy matches. I wanted his autograph, which I have preserved. And as luck would have it, some years later, I got a chance to play alongside Salimbhai (then 43) for Rajasthan in the Ranji Trophy quarter-final against Delhi in 1977-78. It was also his last first-class match.


Salim Durani (left) with Gundappa Vishwanath.
PIC/MiD DAY ARCHIVES

I was batting in the nets at Feroz Shah Kotla, when suddenly, I heard a voice from behind 'Piyushbhai, I have got two new bats and can you play with them so that they get seasoned.' I looked around and saw my hero. His name did not figure in the 14-member list till the eve of the match. It seemed he appeared from somewhere to play the game.

I was completely zapped to see him. Two fantastic things happened in that match in which I kept wicket. Delhi were reeling at 96 for four when Arun Lal and Madan Lal came to the crease. Salimbhai told me, 'Keep an eye on the leg stump as I will be bowling a lot of balls in that area to Arun Lal.' He kept bowling there. The score went from 163 to 263 and beyond. Finally, one of his deliveries pitched outside the leg stump and took Arun's off bail. He walked up to me and said 'I told you so'. I quipped: 'Salimbhai you told me this a couple of days back.' If Salimbhai had decided on something, you couldn't change it.

He got out early in the first innings, but he gave a masterclass to everyone present in the second knock. He fiercely cut spinner Rakesh Shukla for five consecutive fours in spite of Shukla adding one fielder every time he was hit to the fence. Salimbhai had made up his mind to hit fours in that area until he didn't keep a fielder in the deep. For me, it was demonstration of class and elegance because I had seen very little of Salimbhai.

Hitting a six whenever the crowd demanded is part of cricketing folklore now. But in that match, he hit one over the fence after I said to him, 'I am yet to see you hit a six.' I was just mesmerised.

For me to remember him is extremely easy. But for him to remember me, who just played one match with him every time with a hug is his way of showing affection. I am very proud that he is getting the CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement award today. For me, he will always be Salute Durani.

As told to Harit N Joshi