Surti had the glamour and stability and he enthralled the public in all three departments of the game. India’s former captain Nari Contractor said: “We at Parsi Cyclists Club had a set of characters who accepted a heavy workload with a big smile. One cannot but recognise his courage and conviction.”

Former Bombay player Mehli Irani was shocked at the news of Surti’s demise. “This courageous and faithful colleague of mine showed the discipline of an army officer while fully fulfilling his responsibilities. He was a dominating force,” said Irani. Many like us saw his departure from our country, disgusted at the treatment meted out by the BCCI.u00a0