With the 2015 World Cup set to roll in a couple of days, the sight of Syed Abid Ali, the former India all-rounder, walking into the Sports Coaching Foundation (Masab Tank) almost unnoticed presents the other side of India’s history in the biggest cricketing spectacle. Not all World Cuppers are fortunate to earn name and fame!
For, not many know that Abid Ali, now 73 and more popularly known in Hyderabad cricketing circles as ‘Chichha’, was one of the couple of Indian players who can recall their experience of playing in the inaugural World Cup in 1975 in England with a sense of pride. One of his memorable outings was against New Zealand when he scored 70 and then claimed two for 35. The only other Indian to score a half-century was the great Gundappa Visvanath (75 not out).
The articulate Abid Ali recalls those were the days when India was not really ready for the limited-overs brand. But, the fun of being part of that World Cup is something unforgettable, he says.
Not many of the current generation may be aware that Abid Ali had a dream Test debut at Brisbane in 1967-68 series with six for 55 against Australia. So, he should know what he speaks about the World Cup and all. The Hyderabadi reveals that India did not show the team spirit desired at that level in 1975. “The team was perplexed and the concept of ODIs itself was alien to us,” he adds.
One of the most infamous episodes of 1975 World Cup episode was Sunil Gavaskar’s mind-boggling 36 not out in 60 overs against England. “I still cannot believe how it happened. And I had the gumption to ask Sunny what happened – his reply was that he was not a stroke-maker. To this my reply was – don’t tell me that you got all those Test runs prior to World Cup without playing any strokes,” recalls Abid Ali.
On his World Cup experience, Abid Ali says that being at Lord’s to watch West Indian captain’s blazing and match-winning century, Sir Vivian Richards amazing run-outs in the 1975 final, Kapil Dev’s incredible catch to send back Viv Richards off Madan Lal in the 1983 final were some of the great memories he would love to keep recalling even now. “What moments they were. Truly special which were equal to the grand finales,” he says.
Later, SCF general secretary K. Sai Baba introduced Abid Ali to the young cricketers who were too happy to have an interaction with him.
