-Boria Majumdar
Trinidad 1971. Indian cricket’s best hour to many. This Test match not only provided answers to the great Sunil Gavaskar that he belonged there but also to the rest of the world. Gavaskar’s 65 and 67 not out in the first and second innings were indications that India had finally found its successor to Merchant and someone who had the ability to be an all-time great of the game.
While it was Sardesai, Gavaskar and Solkar who performed with the bat in Trinidad, Venkataraghavan, Prasanna and Bedi took centre stage with the ball, along with the indomitable Salim Durani in the West Indian second innings.
In fact, as Sunil Gavaskar said, ‘It was Salim uncle who had set up the match for us.’
Having managed a lead of 138 runs in the first innings, every Indian player was aware that they had a chance to register their maiden win against the West Indies. To do so, however, they needed to go past Sobers, Kanhai and Lloyd.
‘We were having a drink in Ajit’s room at the end of the third day’s play when Salim Durani walked in,’ recalled Viswanath, who had only just started to narrate the story when my curiosity got in the way. ‘Did you hear Durani saying he would get both Sobers and Lloyd the next day?’ I asked. Much had been written about Durani saying this, but I needed corroboration from someone who was actually in the room and had heard it himself. Viswanath paused, looked at me and sported a smile on his face. ‘Yes, I did,’ he said.
‘Salim entered the room and straightaway asked Ajit if he could have a drink,’ recalled Viswanath. ‘He loved a drink or two in the evenings, and it was standard practice in the West Indies for all of us to assemble in Ajit’s room and unwind. Just then, he said, “I will get you Lloyd and Sobers tomorrow in two overs.” All of us were surprised and looked at him as he continued, “Just give me the ball when Lloyd is on strike, and even if someone else picks up the non-striker at that point, don’t bother continuing with him and throw me the ball against Sobers.”
There was something in his voice and if you knew what Salim Durani was capable of, you would never doubt him.’
Viswanath went on to narrate the story of a game in India where Durani had squared off against Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi. The game was played on one of the most docile of tracks and, according to Viswanath, there was every reason to believe Pataudi would score big on that pitch. He was in fine form and only the foolish would want to bet against him. ‘That’s when Salim came up to me and said, “I will get him tomorrow,”’ recalled Viswanath. ‘Seeing me amused spurred him on further, and he repeated what he had said, “Go tell Tiger [Pataudi] I will get him tomorrow,” leaving me stunned. And, to be honest with you, the moment Tiger Pataudi came out to bat, Durani asked for the ball and, on a wicket where nothing was happening, all of a sudden a ball spun and jumped and Tiger was caught behind in the slips. At the end of the day, [Durani] showed me his finger and it was raw and bruised. He had given the ball such a rip that some of his flesh had come off.’
Wadekar was aware of this incident and had blind faith in Durani’s ability. ‘No doubt he was temperamental, but he was also a genius,’ concluded Viswanath.
The final word on these sensational back-to-back wickets in the Trinidad Test came from Salim Durani himself. ‘I was casually talking to Jaisimha about how confident I was about removing them, and it was Jai who went and asked Ajit to get me to bowl,’ Durani recounted. ‘I had noticed that the wicket in the second innings had turned a bit slow, so you needed to bowl faster. There was a spot created outside the off stump that I had noticed earlier. I decided to capitalize on that. Sobers, after getting out, just couldn’t believe [it]. He went away muttering, “Oh, Jesus!”’ Durani said with a laugh.
The laugh is gone forever but the sounds and deeds reverberate. Memories are forever. Rest well Salim Durani.