Syed Abid Ali, often known as Abid Ali, was an incredibly talented cricketer hailing from India. Born on September 5, 1941, in Hyderabad, Abid Ali was a dynamic player who possessed the skills and abilities perfectly suited for one-day cricket. Unfortunately, his career was hindered by the fact that he was born two decades too early, missing out on the golden era of limited-overs cricket.
Abid Ali’s game was a true spectacle to behold. With the agility and speed of a sprinter, the endurance of a seasoned marathon runner, and the determination of a decathlete, he stood out among his peers. Not only was he a highly capable medium-pace bowler, but he also exhibited exceptional skills in the outfield. His fielding prowess was such that he could pluck catches out of thin air and execute run-outs with remarkable accuracy. However, it was his batting that truly showcased his talent.
As a lower-order batsman, Abid Ali possessed the knack for turning singles into doubles and pushing the envelope with his swift running between the wickets. It often appeared as if he were gliding effortlessly on invisible skates. His ability to amass quick runs and provide vital contributions to the team’s total made him a valuable asset in one-day cricket, where his explosive style of play flourished.
Abid Ali’s journey began in grand fashion with his Test debut against Australia at Brisbane in the 1967-68 series. In that match, he left an indelible mark with an outstanding bowling performance, claiming remarkable figures of 6 for 55. Despite his exceptional debut, destiny had another plan for Abid Ali. He was fated to play second fiddle to India’s renowned spin quartet, consisting of Erapalli Prasanna, Bhagwat Chandrasekhar, Bishan Bedi, and Srinivas Venkataraghavan.
Despite this, Abid Ali continued to prove his worth. In the same series against Australia, he displayed his batting talent by scoring crucial innings of 78 and 81 at Sydney. These exceptional performances elicited high praise from none other than Jack Fingleton, a former Australian cricketer turned esteemed journalist.
However, Abid Ali’s promising career was tragically cut short when he was at the pinnacle of his game. During the 1975 World Cup, where he top-scored with a magnificent 70 runs batting at No. 7 and claimed 2 for 35 with the ball against New Zealand, his cricketing journey came to an abrupt end. A bizarre postscript added to this unfortunate end when Abid Ali stumbled upon his own obituary. Farokh Engineer, mistakenly announcing his demise on air, unwittingly provided a moment of ironic dismay for the talented cricketer.
Though his international career was brief, Abid Ali’s contributions to Indian cricket remain cherished by fans, and his legacy endures. Even after retiring from the sport, he continued to contribute to the game, sharing his knowledge and expertise as a coach. Abid Ali’s passion for cricket and his exceptional skills will forever be remembered in the annals of Indian cricket history.
