Indian Cricket Mourns the Loss of Syed Abid Ali

Former Indian all-rounder and first-generation cricketing great Syed Abid Ali has passed away at the age of 83. Originally from Hyderabad, Ali had settled in California, USA, after his cricketing career. He breathed his last due to health complications, as confirmed by his relative Reza Khan. Several former Indian cricketers have expressed their condolences on his demise.

Ali represented India between 1967 and 1974, playing a crucial role in the team's early international cricket history. On July 13, 1974, India played its first-ever One Day International (ODI) against England at Leeds, and Ali etched his name in history by delivering the first ball for India in ODI cricket.

During his career, Ali played 29 Test matches, scoring 1,018 runs, which included six half-centuries. As a medium-pace bowler, he claimed 47 Test wickets. In ODIs, he played five matches, scoring 93 runs and taking seven wickets.

One of his most memorable performances came in the 1975 Cricket World Cup, where he top-scored for India against New Zealand with 70 runs off 98 balls. Notably, this match was also his final appearance in international cricket.