By Prakash Giri
Former Indian all-rounder Syed Abid Ali, renowned for his outstanding fielding and medium-pace bowling, passed away on Mar 12th at the age of 83. Abid Ali, who represented India between 1967 and 1975, played a pivotal role in shaping cricket in Northern California, particularly through his contributions to the Northern California Cricket Association (NCCA).
A Mentor and Pioneer in NCCA
Affectionately known as “Abid Bhai,” he made Northern California his home after retiring from international cricket. He frequently participated in NCCA’s A-division cricket and became a significant figure in promoting the sport in the region. Abid Ali dedicated himself to coaching and mentoring young cricketers, nurturing talent, and fostering a strong cricketing culture. His influence was instrumental in elevating the standard of cricket in Northern California, transforming it into one of the stronger cricketing hubs in the United States.
Despite having played at the highest level, Abid Ali remained humble and committed, regularly turning up for local league cricket throughout the 1980s and 1990s. He later coached the NCCA men’s team multiple times, mentoring several future stalwarts, including Ozair Nana, Sunny Singh, Deep Ghai, and Krishna Prasad, among others.
His player-centric and adaptive coaching style made him a beloved mentor. He had a unique ability to not only instruct players on technical adjustments but also explain the rationale behind them, ensuring seamless integration into their natural gameplay. His influence extended well beyond the field, shaping countless careers through his mentorship and leadership.
A Career Remembered
Abid Ali was a versatile player, famously scoring 70 runs in the 1975 Cricket World Cup and taking crucial wickets throughout his international career. His Test debut against Australia in 1967 remains one of the most memorable in cricket history, where he stunned fans with bowling figures of 6/55.
His dedication to cricket extended far beyond his professional playing days, as he remained actively involved in coaching and mentoring for decades. Former players and administrators of NCCA have expressed deep sorrow at his passing, remembering him as an inspirational coach and a kind mentor.
More than just a remarkable cricketer, Syed Abid Ali was a humble and exemplary human being. Despite having played for India in Tests and World Cups, he remained approachable and deeply dedicated to the game. His close friendship with Syed Kirmani, India’s World Cup-winning wicketkeeper, turned into a family bond when his son, Syed Faaqer Ali, married Kirmani’s daughter. Tragically, the untimely passing of his son on a cricket field deeply affected him.
Beyond cricket, Abid Bhai had a jovial personality, always ready with a humorous remark, whether cricket-related or otherwise, bringing warmth to those around him.
With his passing, Northern California and the global cricketing community have lost a true ambassador of the sport. His legacy, however, will continue to inspire future generations of cricketers in the United States and beyond.
Tributes from the NCCA Cricket Community
Sunny Singh:
A legend is gone. Sir Abid Ali wasn’t just a coach—he was a mentor, a father figure, and a no-nonsense leader who shaped so many of us in the NCCA and the Bay Area cricket community. His loss is deeply felt, and there will never be another like him.
His home in Tracy, CA, was always open to us young, aspiring Bay Area cricketers. He believed in fairness above all else, selecting teams based on merit. I still remember the day he named his own son, the late Faaqer Ali, as the 12th man in an NCCA representative game because he was out of shape and struggling. That was Sir Abid—uncompromising in discipline and performance. His mantra was always: ‘Come prepared to play and leave your excuses at home. True players adapt to the conditions.’
I feel incredibly lucky to have been coached by him. Despite his international achievements, he was humble, kind, and full of humor. He had a unique way of making everyone feel at ease while still demanding commitment and respect. Sir Abid Ali was one of a kind. I’ll never forget him. Rest in peace, Coach. God bless your soul.
Hasu Patel:
I first met him at Woodley Cricket Ground in LA in 1981, where he was associated with UCLA’s cricket team. He was eager to secure a coaching job in the LA area, but a year later, he moved to Northern California and began playing for NCCA’s Stanford CC. In 1982, he joined Gujarat Cricket Club during a visit to Vancouver, Canada, scoring 99 runs. He also represented NCCA in matches against SCCA, playing alongside Kiran Joshipura and Raj Manon.
He was one of the best all-rounders India had during his time.
Ozair Nana:
Abid has had a massive impact on my journey in cricket and life. As a young kid, I excelled in soccer and baseball. As a 15 year old, I played as a fill-in on my father’s cricket team, Redwood CC, back in 1982 in a match against Stanford Cricket Club in Santa Rosa. I scored something like 26 not out batting at number 11 and fielded extremely well. Both Abid and Urmi Modi were impressed with my athletic abilities and encouraged me to take on cricket. In 1984, my father sponsored Abid as a player/coach for Redwood CC.
It was during the summer of 1984 where Abid spent countless hours coaching and training me. He stressed to me the importance of physical and mental fitness. In 1986, I got selected for my first Raisinland Trophy match and in 1987, I played in my first national tournament in Tulsa, OK. Abid took me under his wings and guided me. He sheltered a nervous 20 year old in his first national tournament match from the verbal assault thrown his way by our own Arun Vittala. In 1988, I got selected for the US team that toured Antigua. Abid was more than a coach – he was a friend and a mentor. We stayed in touch on a regular basis. The untimely death of his son, Faaqir, broke him. Abid loved cricket and he loved to share his knowledge of the game to those who cared to learn. Abid was a class act. He will be missed.
Back in 1982 when Abid first started playing in the NCCA, he played for Stanford. The NCCA did not have any over limitations for bowlers. Between himself and Urmi Modi (ex Mumbai and Gujarat Ranji player), they would bowl the full 40/45 overs themselves. Even at the age of 41, Abid was incredibly fit.
Rohan Chandran:
I first met Abid Uncle as a teenager in the early 1990s. Even at 50-something, he kept wickets and opened the batting in a game at the old United Ground in Richmond. Only afterward did I learn that this was THE Abid Ali—one of my mother’s early cricketing heroes. I hadn’t known that he started his career as a wicketkeeper.
I was fortunate to know him over the years—on the cricket field, as a fellow selector, as a coach at the Stanford Cricket Academy, and as a friend. We even began working together on his autobiography, which, sadly, was never completed. It was to be called ‘Running Between Wickets,’ though we also joked about ‘Thunder Thighs’ to his amusement. His stories of cricketing life in the 60s and 70s, intertwined with efforts to impress his future wife, deserved to be told.
He was perhaps India’s first great fielder, and anyone who marks their debut against Australia with both five-wicket hauls and half-centuries clearly knows the game. As a coach, he had an uncanny ability to diagnose issues quickly. I once lost my outswinger, and within three deliveries in the nets, he made two small corrections to my delivery stride—and boom, it was back. Many others had similar experiences.
Life wasn’t always kind to Abid Uncle. Had he been born 20 years later, he’d have been one of the great utility all-rounders in limited-overs cricket and likely a top coach in the T20 circuit. The housing crisis hit him hard, but nothing affected him more than the tragic loss of his son, Faaqer. There are no words for that pain.
His former teammates at Stanford CC remember him fondly as a consummate gentleman, always kind—except when it came to misfielding, dropping catches, or poor technique while running between wickets. Those things he deemed non-negotiable.
Rest in peace, Abid Uncle. You made an impact and left a legacy. It was a privilege to have known you.
Eulogy from Raiyo Aspandiar:
We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Mr. Syed Abid Ali, a renowned figure in the world of Test cricket. Abid Sir was not only a remarkable player whose skill and dedication on the field inspired countless fans and aspiring cricketers in the 60s and 70s, but also a true ambassador of the sport. His contributions to cricket, both as a formidable opponent and a cherished teammate, have left an indelible mark on the game.
Off the field, Abid Sir was a motivating coach, and exhilarating friend for his sportsmanship, humility, and the warmth with which he shared his experiences and wisdom. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations, in the local leagues within California and the Northwest and he will be sorely missed by the cricketing community and fans worldwide. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends, and all those who had the privilege of knowing him. May he rest in peace.
On a personal note, we first met and interacted with Abid Sir in 1980. He became the Stanford Cricket Club Coach. He was a qualified coach possessing a strong understanding of all three core skills in cricket. He also motivated our Stanford CC teammates to perform as best as they were capable of during practices and matches. He had the uncanny ability to understand and respond to the emotional needs of others thereby building trust and rapport.
Abid Sir effectively communicated his vision and expectations for the team and encouraged feedback. After every match he pointed out in detail what the players did very well and what they did incorrectly. He could easily identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement for each player. His passion for the game was infectious, and his dedication to our team was unwavering. Abid Sir also travelled to Portland to conduct coaching camps for Oregon-based Northwest Cricket League Players in 2001.
On road trips for away games within the Bay Area, as well as to Santa Rosa and Fresno, Abid Sir used to regale the players with vivid anecdotes about his experiences in Test matches as well as humorous stories about other well-known cricketers.
Though Abid Sir may no longer be with us in body, his spirit will forever remain in our hearts. Rest in peace, dear coach, knowing that you have made a difference in this world and in the hearts of all who knew you.
Laks Sampath:
Having grown up watching this esteemed cricketer and coming to California and meeting the great man face to face was a thrill of a lifetime. It took me a long time to call him Abid. A humble man with a great passion for cricket in general and the growth of cricket in Northern California in particular, I was fortunate to work with him and watch him groom the NCCA seniors and juniors. He will be missed.
