Former India Test cricketer Rusi Framroze Surti died here on Sunday following a brief illness. The Australia-based cricketer, who was on a holiday here, died following a ‘stroke’. The player, who was a brilliant fielder too, played his first (in 1960) and the 26th and the final Test (1969) at the Brabourne in Mumbai. Surti was an integral part of the team led by the late Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi during the 1960s and notched up 1263 runs at 28.7, with 99 against New Zealand at Auckland in 1968-69 being his highest score.

He scored nine half-centuries and took 42 wickets. He also took 26 catches.

Surti was often referred to as India’s Gary Sobers.

He played first-class cricket for Gujarat, Rajasthan and Queensland, making 8066 runs and picking 284 wickets in 160 matches.