Mumbai, Jan 13 (IANS): Former India cricketer Rusi Surti died here Saturday. He was 76.

Surti represented India in 26 Test matches between 1960 and 1969 scoring 1,263 runs with a highest score of 99. He was a brilliant all-rounder and claimed 42 wickets, with best bowling figures of 5/74.

He was known for his all-round ability and set new heights with his athletic fielding. He settled in Australia after faring well on India's 1967-68 tour there.

Surti had been in critical condition for the last few days and was being treated at the Jaslok hospital here.

The former Queensland-based all-rounder was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and put on a ventilator.

A Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Thursday evening revealed the former cricketer had suffered a massive stroke, which led the doctors to put him on ventilator and other life-support systems.

Niranjan Shah, vice-president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), expressed his shock over the loss of life.

"A great loss to the cricketing world and his soul may rest in peace," said Shah.