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Mohammed Siraj’s performance is heartening: Abid Ali

The Hyderabad pace bowler can be an inspiration to many young cricketers

By N Jagannath Das

Published Date - 25 January 2021, 11:49 PM

Mohammed Siraj’s performance is heartening: Abid Ali

Hyderabad: A few days ago debutant Hyderabad-born Mohammed Siraj was the toast of the nation, with his sterling performance with the ball. More than fifty years ago, the bustling Abid Ali made a sensational debut against a strong Australian side in Adelaide in the 1966-67 Test series.

Robust and fit, this Hyderabadi did not bowl at blistering pace but had an uncanny knack of unsettling the rock-like Australian batsmen with deceptive swing and cutters. In his debut Test, his performance was a notch better than expected. Scalping six for 55 was no mean achievement. His bag of wickets included dangerous openers Bob Simpson and Bill Lawry.

The Hyderabadi connection is well in evidence in these many of the series involving both the countries. From ML Jaisimha’s romance with Brisbane Test in 1966-67 or Abid Ali’s eye-catching Test debut or off-spinner Shivlal Yadav’s magical spell or Mohammed Azharuddin’s magnificent century in Adelaide or left-arm spinner SL Venkatapathy Raju’s tantalizing loop to have late Dean Jones and Mark Waugh stumped or VVS Laxman’s very, very special innings in Sydney and Adelaide and to the latest match-winning spell in the second innings in Brisbane by pace bowler Siraj.

The whole nation was in raptures when Siraj rattled the Australians. Watching the determination of Siraj on television was a revelation and a true inspiration for youngsters. But when Abid Ali whipped the cream of the Australian batting, it was the days of the Radio that brought home the good news of his display.

Speaking from California, 79-year-old Abid Ali said he was very happy for Siraj. “That boy came to my house. I’m so glad for Siraj. Hyderabad cricketers have had good outings in Australia and now this performance by Siraj is really heartening. Siraj is a new inspiration to many young boys. Hard work is the key. Hard work never goes waste,” he said.

Abid Ali said it is a great feeling to take five or more wickets in Australia. “When I took six wickets in Adelaide, England fast bowler Frank Tyson was there. Skipper MAK Pataudi introduced me to Tyson. He was impressed with my bowling. Pataudi told me do you know who this person is? I was ignorant and I said I don’t know. There was smile around.”

Abid Ali said Australian wickets always help the bowlers as they are hard, has some bounce, the ball cuts a lot and there is a lot of movement. “I always enjoyed bowling in Australia. If you have the accuracy, then you will be rewarded with wickets. With little cutters and swing, you can take wickets and at the same time line and length plays a big part,” said Abid Ali, who played in 29 Tests.

The Hyderabad swing bowler said the secret of Shardul Thakur’s success is because he stuck to the basic principle of line and length. “Look, he is a sturdy bowler. He compensates the lack of height with disciplined bowling like me.”

Abid Ali praised Siraj for his wonderful exhibition of seam bowling. “He lost his father but he controlled his emotions nicely. He showed a lot of character.”

When told Siraj has become an overnight hero in the cricket world and has been rewarded for his outstanding bowling, Abid Ali said it is good to see him being recognised for his efforts. “We played for pride. Those days there were no concepts of rewards. We got zero awards. Nothing, nothing, nothing,” said the Hyderabad cricketer, who played a big part in India’s historic wins in West Indies and England in 1971.

He added that it is good to see India have a good bank of fast bowlers. “Those days, we could bowl for a few overs in India and a few more in England, New Zealand or Australia. India depended on spinners even in overseas matches. But it is different now. There is a change in the mindset and the fast bowlers are bringing results for India in places like South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia. Perhaps, I was born at the wrong time,” he concluded with a big laugh.