BCCI mourns the passing of Syed Abid Ali

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) expressed its condolences on the passing of former Indian all-rounder, Syed Abid Ali, who breathed his last on March 12, 2025. A celebrated cricketer, Syed Abid Ali was a pivotal figure in Indian cricket during the 1960s and 70s, renowned for his versatile skills.

He represented India in 29 Test matches and 5 One Day Internationals, leaving a mark with his all-round capabilities. His contributions were instrumental in India’s historic Test series victories in England and the West Indies in 1971, where his fielding, bowling, and batting proved invaluable. His lion-hearted approach and dedication made him a respected figure in the Indian cricketing fraternity.

BCCI President Roger Binny said, “Shri Syed Abid Ali was a true all-rounder, a cricketer who embodied the spirit of the game. His contributions to India’s historic victories in the 1970s will always be remembered. His dedication and versatility made him stand out. My deepest condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time.”

BCCI Honorary Secretary, Devajit Saikia, “Shri Syed Abid Ali’s all-round skills and his contribution to Indian cricket are quite valued. He was a true gentleman of the game. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones."

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An all-rounder by all means, Abid took 47 wickets in his red-ball career and seven in ODIs. With the bat, he aggregated 1100 runs across formats. His first-class numbers, however, are much better where he featured in 212 games to finish with 397 wickets and over 8732 runs in whites. The Hyderabad-born made his India debut against Australia at the Adelaide Oval in 1967, while his last match for the national team came during the 1975 World Cup against New Zealand in Manchester.