Farookh Engineer a maverick during his days as a wicketkeeper for India is enjoying a resurrection in the IPL. In his capacity as the Match Referee, the largely forgotten cricketer had taken center stage during the Bhajji – Sreesanth episode.
Unfortunately, he seems to have landed himself in trouble for suggesting that the BCCI needed to be lenient on Harbhajan Singh and for making comments on S.Sreesanth.
Reports suggest that his comments are unwelcome and Lalit Modi is making threatening noises that his comments plus his attire, he was seen wearing the RC team’s uniform, will be investigated.
This blogger cherishes the memories of Engineer's wicket keeping skills and always considered him with fondness. Some of his catches and stumpings were truly amazing. In fact, we would go so far to claim that he along with Eknath Solkar, played a large part in making our famous spin trio effective.
For that reason, we request the omnipresent Lalit Modi to ignore his faults and let Farookh Engineer enjoy his newfound celebrity status.
For those unaware of Farookh Engineer and his flamboyance here are a few selected comments and anecdotes.
Farookh Engineer Player Profile:
Farookh Engineer began his Test career in 1961 and played 46 matches in all, scoring 2,611 runs and taking 66 catches behind the wicket, with 16 stumpings. A stalwart for Lancashire for many seasons, Engineer's distinguished international career came to an end when he retired following the 1975 World Cup.
Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi on Farookh Engineer – “was the best wicket-keeper of his time. He was flamboyant, a great crowd puller. Engineer had very good public relations with almost all the cricketers”.
Those who know Engineer will agree that he is capable of this and more.
Sunny. Don't get out first ball. It's a long way back to the pavilion.' Engineer was dismissed first ball.
Blasts from the past by Vivek Atray:
Much as classical old songs from films reflect a soothing, old world charm amid the hurly-burly of today, TV images of players like Bhagwat Chandrashekhar and Farookh Engineer going about their stuff in matches from the early seventies, de-stress one no end and even bring a tear or two to the old eye.
Finally some caustic comments on Engineers commentating style.
BTW,This post is dedicated to 'R' a regular to this blog and one who comes up with off - color comments (Hey! I am joking).
'R' hope this compensates for your time and the money you lost betting on Farookh Engineer.
Unfortunately, he seems to have landed himself in trouble for suggesting that the BCCI needed to be lenient on Harbhajan Singh and for making comments on S.Sreesanth.
Reports suggest that his comments are unwelcome and Lalit Modi is making threatening noises that his comments plus his attire, he was seen wearing the RC team’s uniform, will be investigated.
This blogger cherishes the memories of Engineer's wicket keeping skills and always considered him with fondness. Some of his catches and stumpings were truly amazing. In fact, we would go so far to claim that he along with Eknath Solkar, played a large part in making our famous spin trio effective.
For that reason, we request the omnipresent Lalit Modi to ignore his faults and let Farookh Engineer enjoy his newfound celebrity status.
For those unaware of Farookh Engineer and his flamboyance here are a few selected comments and anecdotes.
Farookh Engineer Player Profile:
Farookh Engineer began his Test career in 1961 and played 46 matches in all, scoring 2,611 runs and taking 66 catches behind the wicket, with 16 stumpings. A stalwart for Lancashire for many seasons, Engineer's distinguished international career came to an end when he retired following the 1975 World Cup.
Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi on Farookh Engineer – “was the best wicket-keeper of his time. He was flamboyant, a great crowd puller. Engineer had very good public relations with almost all the cricketers”.
Those who know Engineer will agree that he is capable of this and more.
Sunny. Don't get out first ball. It's a long way back to the pavilion.' Engineer was dismissed first ball.
Blasts from the past by Vivek Atray:
Much as classical old songs from films reflect a soothing, old world charm amid the hurly-burly of today, TV images of players like Bhagwat Chandrashekhar and Farookh Engineer going about their stuff in matches from the early seventies, de-stress one no end and even bring a tear or two to the old eye.
Finally some caustic comments on Engineers commentating style.
BTW,This post is dedicated to 'R' a regular to this blog and one who comes up with off - color comments (Hey! I am joking).
'R' hope this compensates for your time and the money you lost betting on Farookh Engineer.
14 comments:
There are new rules to play by now. Even Brylcreem is different now....unrecognizable. That white cream had a nostalgic odor to it unlike the bland blue gel of today.
I read elsewhere that Engineer was wearing some team jersy and encouraging the team and to be punished for that.Silly. U see commentators praising some players when they shd be objective.
Thanks for a detailed write up on Engineer who used to walk down the track to Mckenzie and Connolly and clobber them like Ranji bowlers.He played test like T20s without helmet.Sobers will never forget his Madras test encounter with Engy.When he was asked who was the fast bowler he feared most he said"yet to be born" He was the ony Indian player abt whom there was an editorial in those days. The curious thing abt his batting is that he never tried to hit a six and rarely ones and twos.Yup I can go on endlessly.
Engineer was a great keeper but he has always been soome one who has enjoyed to be in the spotlight. Perhaps the reason for his recent acts.
Brylcream - et tu Soulberry! :)
R,
Go on. It is always a pleasure to hear about Engineer.
Apurv,
A warm welcome and thanks for your comment.
Yes Engineer was one of those guys who dived to take a catch even when it would have come straight to his glove.
Possibly the root cause of his present troubles. :)
I liked his decision to suspend Pratap for a match though.
David,
Farookh Engineer is a genial chap. So I doubt whether that decision was his doing. It is Modi's doing. :)
Farokh is too flamboyant to be put into the Match Referee's straitjacket and no wonder he engineered his way into this trouble.
Som,
A warm welcome to this community.
"no wonder he engineered his way into this trouble" - excellent pun.
Som,
The link to your blog takes me to site which claims it to be the great bible site.
Is that your site.
If you read 'Sunny days '(gavaskar's autobiography) you will find Gavaskar claiming that Engineer was an unpopular member of the Indian team in 70's, mainly due to his habbit of playing to the gallery.
What about the image of Engineer with Harbhajan on one side and Sreesanth on the other.....straight from Bollywood
Apurv,
Yep that was a photo op.:)
One of the good ones... yeah lalit, forgive him... you cannot really scold a good natured fat man anyway.... doesn't feel the part.
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