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{{Short description|Indian Cricketer}}
{{Short description|Indian cricketer (born 1938)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2023}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2023}}
{{Infobox cricketer
{{Infobox cricketer
| name = Farokh Engineer
|               name = Farokh Engineer
| image =
|           fullname = Farokh Maneksha Engineer
| caption =
|         birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1938|2|25|df=yes}}
| fullname = Farokh Maneksha Engineer
|       birth_place = [[Bombay]], [[Bombay Province]], [[British India]]
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1938|2|25|df=yes}}<ref name="auto2">{{Cite web|url=https://zoroastrians.net/2016/02/29/18-facts-about-farokh-engineer/|title=18 facts about Farokh Engineer|date=29 February 2016|website=Zoroastrians.net}}</ref>
|           batting = Right-handed
| birth_place = [[Mumbai|Bombay]], [[Bombay Presidency]], [[British India]]
|               role = [[Wicket-keeper-batsman]]
| nickname = Rooky,<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cricketcountry.com/criclife/farokh-engineer-18-facts-about-the-stylish-indian-cricketer-born-in-the-wrong-era-512922|title=Farokh Engineer: 18 facts about the stylish Indian cricketer born in the wrong era|first=Chinmay|last=Jawalekar|date=25 February 2016|website=Cricket Country}}</ref> Brylcreem Boy,<ref name="auto5">{{Cite web|url=https://theprint.in/theprint-profile/farokh-engineer-indias-swashbuckling-wicket-keeper-batsman-who-was-also-brylcreem-boy/196010/|title=Farokh Engineer, India's swashbuckling wicket-keeper batsman who was also 'Brylcreem Boy'|first=Ratnadeep|last=Choudhary|date=25 February 2019}}</ref> Dikra Farookh <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/players/40500-farokh-maneksha-engineer-playerprofile|title=Farokh Maneksha Engineer Profile - Cricket Player,India&#124;Farokh Maneksha Engineer Stats, Ranking, Records inCricket -NDTV Sports|website=NDTVSports.com}}</ref>
 
| family =
|     international = true
| heightft =
| internationalspan = 1961–1975
| heightinch =
|           country = India
| batting = Right-handed
 
| bowling = [[Legbreak]]
|     testdebutdate = 1 December
| role = [[Wicket-keeper-batsman]]
|     testdebutyear = 1961
| international = true
|   testdebutagainst = England
| internationalspan = 1961–1975
|           testcap = 102
| country = India
|       lasttestdate = 23 January
| testdebutdate = 1 December
|       lasttestyear = 1975
| testdebutyear = 1961
|   lasttestagainst = West Indies
| testdebutagainst = England
|       odidebutdate = 13 July
| testcap = 102
|       odidebutyear = 1974
| lasttestdate = 23 January
|   odidebutagainst = England
| lasttestyear = 1975
|             odicap = 3
| lasttestagainst = West Indies
|       lastodidate = 14 June
| odidebutdate = 13 July
|       lastodiyear = 1975
| odidebutyear = 1974
|     lastodiagainst = New Zealand
| odidebutagainst = England
 
| odicap = 3
|             club1 = [[Bombay cricket team|Bombay]]
| lastodidate = 14 June
|             year1 = {{nowrap|1959/60–1974/75}}
| lastodiyear = 1975
|             club2 = [[West Zone cricket team|West Zone]]
| lastodiagainst = New Zealand
|              year2 = {{nowrap|1961/62–1974/75}}
| club1 = [[Mumbai cricket team|Mumbai]]
|              club3 = [[Lancashire County Cricket Club|Lancashire]]
| year1 = {{nowrap|1959–1975}}
|             year3 = {{nowrap|1968–1976}}
| club2 = [[Lancashire County Cricket Club|Lancashire]]
 
| year2 = 1968–1976
|           columns = 4
| columns = 4
|     hidedeliveries = true
| column1 = [[Test cricket|Test]]
 
| column2 = [[One Day International|ODI]]
|            column1 = [[Test cricket|Test]]
| column3 = [[First-class cricket|FC]]
|           column2 = [[One Day International|ODI]]
| column4 = [[one day cricket|LA]]
|           column3 = [[First-class cricket|FC]]
| matches1 = 46
|           column4 = [[List A cricket|LA]]
| matches2 = 5
|           matches1 = 46
| matches3 = 335
|           matches2 = 5
| matches4 = 160
|           matches3 = 335
| runs1 = 2,611
|           matches4 = 160
| runs2 = 114
 
| runs3 = 13,436
|             runs1 = 2,611
| runs4 = 3,008
|             runs2 = 114
| bat avg1 = 31.08
|             runs3 = 13,436
| bat avg2 = 38.00
|             runs4 = 3,008
| bat avg3 = 29.52
|         top score1 = 121
| bat avg4 = 23.31
|         top score2 = 54[[not out|*]]
| 100s/50s1 = 2/16
|         top score3 = 192
| 100s/50s2 = 0/1
|         top score4 = 93
| 100s/50s3 = 13/69
|         100s/50s1 = 2/16
| 100s/50s4 = 0/12
|         100s/50s2 = 0/1
| top score1 = 121
|         100s/50s3 = 13/69
| top score2 = 54[[not out|*]]
|         100s/50s4 = 0/12
| top score3 = 192
|           bat avg1 = 31.08
| top score4 = 93
|           bat avg2 = 38.00
| deliveries1 = –
|           bat avg3 = 29.52
| deliveries2 = –
|           bat avg4 = 23.31
| deliveries3 = 132
 
| deliveries4 = –
| wickets1 = –
| wickets2 = –
| wickets3 = 1
| wickets4 = –
| bowl avg1 = –
| bowl avg2 = –
| bowl avg3 = 117.00
| bowl avg4 = –
| fivefor1 = –
| fivefor2 = –
| fivefor3 = 0
| fivefor4 = –
| tenfor1 = –
| tenfor2 = –
| tenfor3 = 0
| tenfor4 = –
| best bowling1 = –
| best bowling2 = –
| best bowling3 = 1/40
| best bowling4 = –
| catches/stumpings1 = 66/16
| catches/stumpings1 = 66/16
| catches/stumpings2 = 3/1
| catches/stumpings2 = 3/1
| catches/stumpings3 = 704/120
| catches/stumpings3 = 704/120
| catches/stumpings4 = 159/31
| catches/stumpings4 = 159/31
| source = http://cricinfo.com/ci/content/player/28624.html CricInfo
 
| date = 6 August 2013
|              date = 15 December
| module = {{Infobox person
|              year = 2023
| embed = yes
|             source = https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/1/1160/1160.html CricketArchive {{subscription required}}
| signature = Farokh Autograph.jpg}}
 
|             module = {{Infobox person
|             embed = yes
|         signature = Farokh Autograph.jpg}}
}}
}}
'''Farokh Maneksha Engineer''' ({{audio|Farokh_Engineer.ogg|pronunciation}}) (born 25 February 1938) is an Indian former [[cricket]]er. He was a [[wicket-keeper-batsman]], usually an [[opening batsman]], who represented [[India national cricket team|India]] in 46 [[Test cricket|Test matches]] from 1961 to 1975. In [[first-class cricket]], he played for [[Bombay cricket team|Bombay]] from 1959/60 to 1974/75, for [[West Zone cricket team|West Zone]] from 1961/62 to 1974/75, and for [[Lancashire County Cricket Club]] from 1968 to 1976. He was the first-choice wicket-keeper for the [[World XI (cricket)|Rest of the World team]] which toured [[Rest of the World cricket team in England in 1970|England in 1970]] and [[Rest of the World cricket team in Australia in 1971–72|Australia in 1971–72]]. Engineer is the first Man of the Match for India in the Men's Cricket World Cup because of his performance (54* & a catch) against [[East Africa cricket team|East Africa]] in the [[1975 Cricket World Cup]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=East Africa vs India, 6th Match at Leeds, Jun 11 1975 – Full Scorecard |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/prudential-world-cup-1975-60793/east-africa-vs-india-6th-match-65040/full-scorecard |website=ESPN Cricinfo}}</ref>


'''Farokh Maneksha Engineer''' {{audio|Farokh_Engineer.ogg|pronunciation}} (born 25 February 1938) is an Indian former [[cricket]]er. He played 46 [[Test cricket|Test matches]] for [[India national cricket team|India]], played first-class cricket for [[Mumbai cricket team|Bombay]] in India from 1959 to 1975 and for [[Lancashire County Cricket Club]] in England from 1968 to 1976. Engineer was the last from his community to play for India, as not a single [[Parsis|Parsee]] male has represented the country after him.
Engineer is the last male member of the [[Parsi]] community to have played for India,<ref name="cmon">{{cite web |url=http://www.thecricketmonthly.com/story/573954/-i-was-born-to-be-a-one-day-player |last=Chaudhry |first=Ijaz |title=I was born to be a one-day player |work=Cricket Monthly |date=26 July 2012}}</ref> although [[Arzan Nagwaswalla]] was selected for the international squad in 2021.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/in-pictures-parsi-cricketers-who-have-played-for-india/article34519324.ece |title=In pictures. Parsi cricketers who have played for India. |work=The Hindu |date=9 May 2021}}</ref>


==Early life==
==Early life==
Engineer was born into a Parsi family in Mumbai.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.cricketcountry.com/criclife/10-parsis-who-played-test-cricket-for-india-505478| title=12 Parsis who played Test cricket for India| date=30 July 2015| author=Shiamak Unwalla| publisher=Cricket Country}}</ref> His father Maneksha was a doctor by profession, while mother Minnie was a housewife. He studied at the [[Don Bosco High School, Matunga|Don Bosco High School]] in Matunga<ref>{{cite web|title=Notable Alumni {{!}} Don Bosco High School |url=https://donboscomatunga.com/alumni/notable-alumni/ | publisher= Don Bosco High School, Matunga}}</ref> and then studied at [[Ramniranjan Anandilal Podar College of Commerce and Economics|Podar College]], [[Matunga]] where [[Dilip Vengsarkar]], [[Sanjay Manjrekar]], and [[Ravi Shastri]] also studied and who also went on to play for their country. Engineer’s love for sports came from his father who played tennis and was himself a club cricketer. His older brother, Darius, was also a good club cricketer and inspired the young Farokh to take up the sport. Engineer initially wanted to be a pilot,<ref name="auto3">{{Cite web|url=http://www.thecricketmonthly.com/story/573954/-i-was-born-to-be-a-one-day-player|title=I was born to be a one-day player|website=Cricinfo}}</ref> right from his childhood days, he was passionate about flying. He qualified for a private pilot's license at [[Bombay Flying Club]] and used to fly Piper Cherokees or Tiger Moths quite low and would often dive under bridges. His mother did not want him to be a pilot, and so he continued concentrating on his cricket. He was a mischievous kid, and once during a lecture in class he was talking to his classmate, [[Shashi Kapoor]]. His professor threw a duster at him, and to everyone's surprise, Engineer caught the duster.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/sports/farokh-engineer-still-firmly-on-the-front-foot/article7173925.ece|title=Farokh Engineer - still firmly on the front foot|first=V. Rishi|last=Kumar|website=@businessline|date=5 May 2015 }}</ref> His brother Darius took Farokh to the East Stand of the [[Brabourne Stadium]], where he saw [[Denis Compton]] fielding and started calling to him. Compton was impressed by him and gave him a piece of chewing gum which he saved as his prized possession for many years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://parsi-times.com/2016/06/a-few-good-men-farokh-engineer/|title=A Few Good Men... Farokh Engineer|date=6 June 2016}}</ref> His father enrolled him in Dadar Parsi Colony Sporting Club where he learnt the nuances of the game from the seniors and later became a regular member of the team.<ref name="auto2"/>
===Education and beginning of cricket career===
Engineer was born 25 February 1938 into a [[Parsis|Parsi]] family in [[Bombay]].<ref name="znet">{{cite web|url=https://zoroastrians.net/2016/02/29/18-facts-about-farokh-engineer/|title=18 facts about Farokh Engineer|date=29 February 2016|website=Zoroastrians.net}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cricketcountry.com/criclife/10-parsis-who-played-test-cricket-for-india-505478 |author=Shiamak Unwalla |title=12 Parsis who played Test cricket for India |publisher=Cricket Country |date=30 July 2015}}</ref> His father Manecksha was a doctor by profession, and his mother, Minnie was a housewife. Engineer studied at the [[Don Bosco High School, Matunga|Don Bosco High School]] in [[Matunga]] and later at [[Ramniranjan Anandilal Podar College of Commerce and Economics|Podar College]], also in Matunga.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://donboscomatunga.com/alumni/notable-alumni/ |title=Notable Alumni. Don Bosco High School |publisher=Don Bosco High School, Matunga |access-date=15 December 2023 |archive-date=17 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200817202648/https://donboscomatunga.com/alumni/notable-alumni/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Engineer became a student at the [[University of Bombay]] and, in 1958/59, played cricket for both their team and the [[Indian Universities cricket team|Indian Universities team]]. He joined [[Bombay cricket team|Bombay]] in 1959, though he continued to play for the Universities until 1961/62.<ref>[https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/1/1160/all_teams.html Teams Farokh Engineer has played for]. CricketArchive. Retrieved 15 December 2023. {{subscription required}}</ref>


==Early domestic career==
During his childhood, Engineer's first ambition was to be a [[pilot]].<ref name="cmon"/> However, he developed a love for sports from his father who played [[tennis]] and was himself a club cricketer. Farokh's older brother, Darius, was also a good club cricketer. He once took Farokh to the East Stand of the [[Brabourne Stadium]], where they saw [[Denis Compton]] fielding. Farokh called to Compton who gave him a piece of chewing gum which he saved as his prized possession for many years.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://parsi-times.com/2016/06/a-few-good-men-farokh-engineer/ |last=Surti |first=Binaisha |title=A Few Good Men... Farokh Engineer |work=Parsi Times |date=6 June 2016}}</ref> His father enrolled him in Dadar Parsi Colony Sporting Club where he learned the nuances of the game from the seniors and later became a regular member of the team.<ref name="znet"/>
Engineer began keeping wicket at the Dadar Parsi Colony team,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://parsikhabar.net/sports/my-tryst-with-cricket/11118/|title=My Tryst with Cricket|date=25 August 2015}}</ref> after being encouraged by his brother to take it up. Darius himself played for [[Karnataka cricket team|Mysore]] in [[Ranji Trophy]].<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=http://validate.perfdrive.com/sportskeeda/captcha?ssa=bf37c6f5-3208-ef67-4c78-e696ec2fec99&ssc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sportskeeda.com%2Fcricket%2Ffarokh-engineer-life-and-times-of-indias-most-dashing-cricketer&ssi=567e2d6c-a33a-851b-649c-4cbd880ca55a&ssk=contactus@shieldsquare.com&ssm=02840309678395087106330094348454&ssn=af1c7d8161602d7652238449ca9b801b6b7dbec6bee5-3cb5-be0f-d636b4&sso=3acac64f-bd535a7a3b340c71067f20d859d1a7178470e986de3ec22b&ssp=50918621791573667973157367137707647&ssq=36480228450734204104984507612416961441609&ssr=MjA4LjgwLjE1NC40OQ==&sst=ZoteroTranslationServer/WMF%20(mailto:services@lists.wikimedia.org)&ssw=|title=ShieldSquare Captcha|website=validate.perfdrive.com}}</ref> He spun the ball so viciously that his fingers used to bleed, this inspired young Farokh to take up the game. The wicket-keeper back then would never even try and stop the ball down the leg side. In the first match that he kept wickets, he was involved in two leg-side stumpings which was absolutely unheard of during those days. Farokh became a regular member of the club mainly due to his wicket-keeping skills. His life was simple. Farokh used to attend his college in the morning and by the afternoon, he would take a train from [[Dadar]] to [[Churchgate]] and go to the [[Cricket Club of India]]. Engineer played his debut first-class match in [[West Indian cricket team in India in 1958–59|December 1958]] for the Combined Universities side against the touring West Indies, while playing for [[Bombay University]]. The West Indies side plundered the Combined University side mainly because of two fiery pace bowlers, [[Wes Hall]] and [[Roy Gilchrist]]. Engineer scored 0 and 29 in that game. Farokh wanted to get into the [[Mumbai cricket team|Bombay team]], during that time the [[Mumbai cricket team|Bombay team]] was the prepotent of the Domestic Teams, as most of the players were already Test Cricketers. Bombay then had [[Naren Tamhane]], as their wicketkeeper, before [[Naren Tamhane|Tamhane's]] place was usurped by Farokh Engineer, no [[List of India Test wicket-keepers|Indian wicketkeeper]] had played more Tests than [[Naren Tamhane|Tamhane]] (21).


==Rivalry==
==Test career==
'''NOTE:''' ''All content in this section was moved to workspace because of [[BP:RS|sourcing]] and [[BP:POV|POV]] issues. A rewrite is in progress''.


'''''Engineer vs. Kunderan'''''
Engineer played in 46 [[Test cricket|Test matches]] for [[India national cricket team|India]] from 1961/62 to 1974/75. He also played in five [[One Day International|ODI]]s, all in 1974/75. He scored 2,611 runs in Tests, including two centuries with a highest score of 121. He took 66 [[caught|catches]] and completed 16 [[stumped|stumpings]].<ref>[https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/1/1160/1160.html Farokh Engineer]. CricketArchive. Retrieved 16 December 2023. {{subscription required}}</ref>


After the [[Nana Joshi|Joshi]] and [[Naren Tamhane|Tamhane]] battle which went on till '60-61, which was the last year for both of them,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/india/content/player/35308.html|title=Naren Tamhane|website=Cricinfo}}</ref> Indian cricket witnessed another rivalry, between [[Budhi Kunderan|Kunderan]] and Engineer, both who loved batting more than keeping. Both crowd pullers, [[Budhi Kunderan|Kunderan]] 'hooked' them on while Engineer 'drove' them crazy. [[Budhi Kunderan|Kunderan]] rose to fame with a run-a-minute, 71 at Madras against the [[Australian cricket team in India in 1959–60|Aussies in '59-'60]], playing outrageous strokes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cricket/durani-budhi-created-his-own-shots/article23714705.ece|title=Durani: 'Budhi created his own shots'|first=Wriddhaayan|last=Bhattacharyya|website=Sportstar}}</ref> He also scored a double century on his debut in the Ranji Trophy match for [[Railways cricket team|Railways]] against [[Jammu and Kashmir cricket team|Jammu-Kashmir]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cricketcountry.com/articles/budhi-kunderan-12-little-known-facts-about-the-wicketkeeper-batsman-496032|title=Budhi Kunderan: 12 little-known facts about the wicketkeeper batsman|first=Arunabha|last=Sengupta|date=26 September 2014|website=Cricket Country}}</ref> Engineer rose to fame with a seven-catch haul in a Ranji match in '60-'61 (Bombay vs Delhi), equalling Limaye's '57-'58 record.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FuzNYeIRg_sC&q=Engineer+7+catch+ranji+1960-61&pg=PA102|title=Playing for India|first=Sujit|last=Mukherjee|date=13 November 1972|publisher=University of Nevada Press|isbn=9780861318308|via=Google Books}}</ref> Both Engineer and [[Budhi Kunderan|Kunderan]] were similar in the sense that they had a knack of taking difficult catches while dropping easier ones. The [[Sino-Indian War|China war]] put [[Budhi Kunderan|Kunderan]] temporarily out of business as the team which he represented, [[Railways cricket team|Railways]] and [[Services cricket team|Services]] were withdrawn from the competition; he just played one Ranji match. Engineer forged ahead; he even started to open. But in [[English cricket team in India in 1963–64|1964, when England toured India]], [[Budhi Kunderan|Kunderan]] came back following an injury to Engineer,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1522293/Budhi-Kunderan.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1522293/Budhi-Kunderan.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Budhi Kunderan|date=25 June 2006|via=www.telegraph.co.uk}}{{cbignore}}</ref> where he had a chipped finger, and scored nearly a double century as an opener (194) and also hit a 100 and 55 to take his series tally to 525 runs. His keeping though slipped a bit. The selectors kept him out of all the three Tests against [[Australian cricket team in India in 1964–65|Australia in 1964]], but he was not even replaced by Engineer, he was replaced by [[Indrajitsinhji|K.S. Indrajitsinhji]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cricketcountry.com/articles/indrajitsinhji-a-blue-blooded-cricketer-who-was-born-at-the-wrong-time-27910|title=KS Indrajitsinhji: A blue-blooded cricketer born at the wrong time|first=Arunabha|last=Sengupta|date=15 June 2013|website=Cricket Country}}</ref> Engineer resumed battle with [[Budhi Kunderan|Kunderan]] in the [[New Zealand cricket team in India in 1964–65|1965 series against New Zealand]]. [[Budhi Kunderan|Kunderan]] played in only one Test as an opener, with Engineer performing the role of the wicketkeeper. [[Budhi Kunderan|Kunderan's]] chance came again in '[[West Indian cricket team in India and Ceylon in 1966–67|66-'67 against the West Indies]] when he blasted 79 runs with 15 fours in the first Test. Next Test he opened and hit 39 in 45 minutes before [[Wes Hall|Hall]] yorked him. The selectors felt that his keeping was not up to the mark and in spite of [[Budhi Kunderan|Kunderan]] scoring 104 in 2 hrs with 4 sixes and 11 fours two days after the second Test in a tour match against the West Indies, it was Engineer who played in the next Test in Chennai. Engineer silenced the critics and the public outcry against [[Budhi Kunderan|Kunderan's]] exclusion by nearly scoring a century before lunch (94).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/22919784/two-stumpers-one-pair-gloves|title=Two stumpers, one pair of gloves|date=31 May 2007|website=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> He went on to score 109 and thereafter he never looked back at [[Budhi Kunderan|Kunderan]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theroar.com.au/2018/06/19/heroics-farokh-engineer/|title=The heroics of Farokh Engineer}}</ref> who he had left behind. The game of musical chairs between the two continued till 1966–67, when [[Budhi Kunderan|Kunderan]] packed his bags and settled in Scotland.<ref name="auto5"/>
===Debut===
Engineer made his Test debut on 1 December 1961 when India played [[England cricket team|England]] at the [[Green Park Stadium|Modi Stadium]] in [[Kanpur]]. It was the second Test of the [[English cricket team in India, Pakistan and Ceylon in 1961–62|1961/62 series]]. Engineer replaced [[Budhi Kunderan]] as wicket-keeper in the Indian team, and these two players competed for the role until Kunderan's retirement in 1967.<ref name="IE612">[https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/25/25240.html India v England 1961, Second Test]. CricketArchive. Retrieved 31 January 2024. {{subscription required}}</ref> The first Test, played three weeks earlier, had been [[draw (cricket)|drawn]].<ref>[https://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Scorecards/25/25206.html India v England 1961, First Test]. CricketArchive. Retrieved 31 January 2024. {{subscription required}}</ref> India, [[captain (cricket)|captained]] by [[Nari Contractor]], won the toss at Kanpur and batted first. Engineer was ninth man in at 414/7 and joined [[Polly Umrigar]]. They added 53 for the eighth wicket until Engineer was stumped by [[John Murray (cricketer, born 1935)|John Murray]] for 33. Contractor [[declared]] as soon as the wicket fell with India on 467/8 and Umrigar 147 [[not out]]. Engineer's first dismissal as a Test wicket-keeper was England opener [[Peter Richardson (cricketer)|Peter Richardson]], whom he caught off [[Subhash Gupte]] for 22. Engineer later caught [[David Allen (cricketer)|David Allen]] off [[Chandu Borde]]. England were [[all out (cricket)|all out]] for 244 and Contractor enforced the [[follow-on]]. With well over a day's play remaining, India hoped to dismiss England again and win the match, but England recovered well to score 497/5 with centuries by [[Geoff Pullar]], [[Ken Barrington]], and their captain [[Ted Dexter]]. The match ended in a draw.<ref name="IE612"/>


==Test career ==
==Lancashire==
Engineer was to make his debut in Test cricket at Mumbai in [[English cricket team in India, Pakistan and Ceylon in 1961–62|December 1960]], against England led by Captain [[Ted Dexter]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/_/id/17362/england-tour-of-india-1961-62|title=England tour of India 1961/62 - Live Cricket Scores, Match Schedules, Points, News, Results &#124; ESPNcricinfo.com|website=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> Chairman of Selectors, [[Lala Amarnath]] chose Engineer over [[Budhi Kunderan|Kunderan]] for his superior keeping skills. Farokh was all set to debut on his home ground, [[Brabourne Stadium|The Brabourne Stadium]]. On the eve of the Test match, Engineer was practising his shots against short bowling. One of [[Raj Singh Dungarpur|Raj Singh Dungarpur's]] deliveries took the top edge of his bat and hit him on his right eye. Farokh was out of the Test match. Thus, [[Budhi Kunderan|Kunderan]] played at Bombay but scored only five runs. Engineer was fit for the second Test at Kanpur and made his debut.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://parsikhabar.net/individuals/hall-of-fame-farokh-engineer/511/|title=Hall of Fame: Farokh Engineer|date=3 November 2006}}</ref> He scored an important 33 and played for the remainder of the series. When the side toured the [[Indian cricket team in the West Indies in 1961–62|West Indies]] next, Engineer was the first-choice wicketkeeper. He played in the first three matches before an injury forced him out of the playing eleven. He was among the few Indian Batsman who were not afraid of the fast bowling duo of [[Wes Hall]] and [[Charlie Griffith]] who tormented the Indian players during the series. When [[English cricket team in India in 1963–64|England toured India]] led by [[M. J. K. Smith]], in the winter of 1963, Farokh was the first choice as the wicket-keeper, but illness kept Farokh out of the first test match in Mumbai, and [[Budhi Kunderan|Kunderan]] who was in the reserves, got a chance and scored a brilliant knock of 192.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/new-zealand-in-india-2016/top-stories/Budhi-Kunderan-was-as-tough-as-they-come/articleshow/15497705.cms|title=Budhi Kunderan was as tough as they come - Times of India|website=The Times of India}}</ref> This helped [[Budhi Kunderan|Kunderan]] seal his place in the playing eleven as a wicketkeeper-batsman, who could also open the innings. With the brilliance of [[Budhi Kunderan|Kunderan]], Engineer was ignored by the selectors when [[Australian cricket team in India in 1964–65|Australia arrived in India]] to play a three-Test series in 1964. It was only in March 1965, when [[New Zealand cricket team in India in 1964–65|New Zealand toured India]], under [[John Reid (cricketer, born 1928)|John Reid]], that Engineer could manage to make a comeback to the national side.<ref name="auto4">{{Cite web|url=http://cricmash.com/biographies/budhi-kunderan|title=Budhi Kunderan: Ahead of his times|website=CricketMash}}</ref> This time he also decided to open the innings, in addition to keeping wicket. Soon he came to be regarded as a full-fledged opening batsman and selectors started looking around for a good partner for him at the top of the batting order. Engineer's best innings as a batsman came during the third Test of the series against the visiting [[West Indian cricket team in India and Ceylon in 1966–67|West Indians at Chennai in 1967]]. He had not played in the first two Tests which the visitors won. The deadly Hall-Griffith combo was supported by [[Gary Sobers]] and [[Lance Gibbs]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cricketcountry.com/articles/farokh-engineer-tears-into-famed-west-indies-attack-almost-scores-hundred-before-lunch-22018|title=Farokh Engineer tears into famed West Indies attack; almost scores hundred before lunch|first=H.|last=Natarajan|date=13 January 2013|website=Cricket Country}}</ref> but Engineer was not at all intimidated by these top-class performers and nearly scored a century before lunch on the opening day of the match.<ref name="auto4"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blogs.khaleejtimes.com/2017/08/25/up-close-and-personal-with-the-legend-that-is-farokh-engineer/|title=Up close and personal with the legend that is Farokh Engineer &#124; khaleejtimes}}</ref> This knock brought Engineer back into the national side and helped him cement his place there for the next four years. During the period from 1967 till 1970, Engineer was a member of the playing eleven in all matches that India played. He opened the innings as well except during the short Test series against the touring [[New Zealand cricket team in India in 1969–70|New Zealand side in 1969]] when India experimented with many young players. This was also the period when the famous spin quartet was making its impact felt for the first time in international cricket and Engineer's presence behind the stumps was a vital factor, his performances with the bat and behind the stumps during the [[Indian cricket team in England in 1967|tour of England in 1967]] saw him secure a contract to play for [[Lancashire County Cricket Club|Lancashire]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/aug/05/farokh-engineer-anderson-jadeja-england-india|title=Farokh Engineer: I'd have sorted out Jadeja and Anderson in minutes|first=Andy|last=Wilson|date=5 August 2014|via=www.theguardian.com}}</ref> He moved to [[Lancashire]] in 1968, he also stopped playing for [[Mumbai Cricket Association|Mumbai]] in [[Ranji Trophy]], while making himself available for the national side. Engineer's short shrift with domestic cricket was not appreciated by the selectors. When the Indian side to tour the [[Indian cricket team in the West Indies in 1970–71|West Indies in 1971]] was chosen, [[Vijay Merchant|Merchant]] insisted that Engineer was not chosen because he had not played any Domestic Cricket.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/cricket/interview/politics-in-indian-cricket-was-sickening/20181130.htm|title=Politics in Indian cricket was sickening|website=Rediff}}</ref> [[Pochiah Krishnamurthy]] of [[Hyderabad cricket team|Hyderabad]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cricketcountry.com/articles/pochiah-krishnamurthy-indias-gloveman-from-the-west-indies-tour-of-1971-156892|title=Pochiah Krishnamurthy: India's gloveman from the West Indies tour of 1971|first=Abhishek|last=Mukherjee|date=12 July 2014|website=Cricket Country}}</ref> was the wicketkeeper during this series but it soon became evident he was not in the same league as Engineer. Hence when the squad to tour [[Indian cricket team in England in 1971|England was selected in April 1971]], Engineer was included, despite Engineer informing the selectors that he would be available only for the Test matches and not for the rest of the tour because of his commitments with [[Lancashire County Cricket Club|Lancashire]]. This series proved crucial for Engineer as he played two important innings in the third Test at [[The Oval]] that India won.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thelivemirror.com/india-vs-england-great-indian-test-victories-in-england/|title=India vs England: Memorable Indian Test victories on English soil|date=31 July 2018}}</ref> Engineer had moved to his position in the middle order during the [[Indian cricket team in England in 1971|tour of England in 1971]]. He continued to bat in that position during the [[English cricket team in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka in 1972–73|series at home against England]] led by [[Tony Lewis]]. However, in the last Test at Mumbai, he was asked to bat at the top of the order again and he responded with a career-best knock of 121 in the first innings. During the [[Indian cricket team in England in 1974|tour of England in 1974]], he was one of the few batsmen to put up a fight during the second and third Tests that India lost. During the home series against the [[West Indian cricket team in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka in 1974–75|West Indies in 1974-75]], there were reports in the media that Engineer would be asked to lead the side in the second Test at Delhi after captain [[Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi|Pataudi]] was ruled out and stand-in skipper [[Sunil Gavaskar]] suffered a fracture to his thumb. Engineer was also congratulated by a senior Board official on the night before the match. But some last-minute developments put paid to his hopes and it was [[Srinivasaraghavan Venkataraghavan|S Venkataraghavan]] who went out for toss the next day.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/champions-trophy-2017/top-stories/the-loneliness-of-being-farokh-engineer/articleshow/59029018.cms|title=The loneliness of being Farokh Engineer - Times of India|website=The Times of India}}</ref> But Engineer kept his composure and got on with his job, contributing substantially with the bat in the third Test at Kolkata, where India won by 85 runs. In the next test at Chennai, Engineer was brilliant behind the stumps, diving full length to catch an edge off the bat of [[Viv Richards]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/cricket/2000/oct/20raju.htm|title=rediff.com: cricket channel - Rich pickings!|website=www.rediff.com}}</ref> and effecting a lightning-quick stumping to remove [[Clive Lloyd]]. Unfortunately, he failed with the bat and was dismissed for a pair in the Mumbai Test, which turned out to be his final appearance in Test matches.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://polylearning.com/General-Knowledge/Sports/discussion/3214|title=Farokh Engineer played his last Test match at his home ground.Where did he play his last Test match?|website=polylearning.com}}</ref>
{{Quote box |quote="He finds both cricket and life fun; he laughs easily and his jokes are often very funny but he can be grave. His appeals are as loud as anyone's yet off the field he is quietly spoken. As a batsman or wicketkeeper he is aggressive, yet he is a man of consideration and courtesy. There has always been a quality of generosity about his cricket and his way of life". |source=''Farokh – The Cricketing Cavalier'' by [[John Arlott]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.max-books.co.uk/home/farokh-cricketing-cavalier.html |title=Farokh – The Cricketing Cavalier |publisher=MaxBooks |date=27 August 2021}}</ref> |width=35% |align=right}}


==Lancashire==
In 1968, when English cricket allowed its [[county cricket|county clubs]] to sign overseas players, Engineer joined [[Lancashire County Cricket Club|Lancashire]] alongside West Indies batsman [[Clive Lloyd]]. He spent nine seasons there, until he retired in 1976.<ref name="CAP">[https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/1/1160/1160.html Farokh Engineer]. CricketArchive. Retrieved 15 December 2023. {{subscription required}}</ref> Lancashire had not won a major honour since 1950 but, while Engineer and Lloyd played for them, they became a highly successful [[limited overs cricket|limited overs team]], winning the [[Gillette Cup (England)|Gillette Cup]] four times and the [[John Player League]] twice.<ref name="znet"/>


{{Quote box
Engineer was playing for Lancashire in 1970 when he was selected as wicket-keeper for the [[Rest of the World cricket team in England in 1970|Rest of the World]] team, captained by [[Garfield Sobers]], which played five unofficial Tests against England that summer. Engineer also played for the [[Rest of the World cricket team in Australia in 1971–72]].<ref name="znet"/> He enjoyed life in [[Manchester]] and, having married a local lady, decided to settle there after his retirement from playing.<ref name="znet"/> Lancashire granted him a testimonial in 1976, his final season, which raised £26,519.<ref name="CAP"/>
| quote  ="He finds both cricket and life fun; he laughs easily and his jokes are often very funny but he can be grave. His appeals are as loud as anyone's yet off the field he is quietly spoken. As a batsman or wicketkeeper he is aggressive, yet he is a man of consideration and courtesy. There has always been a quality of generosity about his cricket and his way of life."
| source = Farokh - The Cricketing Cavalier, John Arlott<ref>http://www.max-books.co.uk/home/farokh-cricketing-cavalier.html]].</ref>
| width  =35%
| align  =right
}}


Engineer was one of the first Indians to play as a professional in county cricket.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://circleofcricket.com/category/Latest_news/8021/A-glimpse-of-Farokh-Engineers-journey-from-England-to-India|title=A glimpse of Farokh Engineer's journey from England to India|website=Circle Of Cricket}}</ref> Engineer played for English County club [[Lancashire County Cricket Club|Lancashire]] from 1968 to 1976, which he played alongside West Indian great [[Clive Lloyd]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/cricket/report/eng-chat/20060510.htm|title=Dhoni reminds me of myself|website=Rediff}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cricket.lancashirecricket.co.uk/news/2019-news/farokh-engineer-reflects-on-his-red-rose-career/|title=Farokh Engineer reflects on his Red Rose career|website=Lancashire Cricket Club}}</ref> When he made his debut, Lancashire had not won a major honour since 1950. After the [[Indian cricket team in England in 1967|1967 tour of England]], renowned cricket commentator [[John Arlott]] wanted Engineer to play for his beloved [[Hampshire County Cricket Club|Hampshire]]. At the same time, [[Worcestershire County Cricket Club|Worcestershire]] and [[Somerset County Cricket Club|Somerset]] were also interested in Engineer, but Engineer finally decided on Lancashire for its great history and [[Old Trafford Cricket Ground|beautiful ground]]. By the time he left them after 1976, the team had won the [[Friends Provident Trophy|Gillette Cup]] four times and the [[John Player League]] twice.<ref name="auto3"/> Post-retirement, he decided to reside in Lancashire and also served as its vice-president. He got used to life in Manchester. He was provided with a house and a car to commute daily, the club also found a house for Engineer in [[Timperley]], a suburb in South Manchester.<ref name="auto"/> Later, Engineer became a revered figure in Lancashire which had become his second home.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.crictracker.com/18-facts-about-farokh-engineer-the-original-poster-boy-of-indian-cricket/|title=18 facts about Farokh Engineer: The Original poster boy of Indian cricket|date=25 February 2016}}</ref> Lancashire were the undisputed one-day kings in the 1970s and Engineer, became their popular talisman. His benefit match at Lancashire fetched him £26000, an astonishing sum for the era.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hellomystar.com/farokh-engineer.html|title=Farokh Engineer Height, Age, Net Worth, House, Affairs, Biography|date=5 July 2017}}</ref> During a county match between [[Derbyshire County Cricket Club|Derbyshire]] and [[Lancashire County Cricket Club|Lancashire]], [[Dickie Bird|Umpire Dickie Bird]] led both the teams off the field, at [[Park Road, Buxton|Buxton]] in June 1975. It was the first time in history that snow had stopped a first-class match, "Crazy country. What kind of summer is this?" said West Indies skipper [[Clive Lloyd]] as he waded through the snow.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wisden.com/stories/the-ten-cricket-fights|title=The Ten: Cricket Fights, Fighters & Feuds|date=29 November 2013|website=Wisden}}</ref> Farokh became a fan favorite in Lancashire. So much so, that once a cop stopped him for speeding on the streets of Manchester but let him off, saying: "My father would kill me if I booked you."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.scoopwhoop.com/farokh-engineer/|title=He Was The MS Dhoni Of His Era So Why Don't We Ever Talk About Farokh Engineer?|first=Akarsh|last=Mehrotra|date=25 February 2017|website=www.scoopwhoop.com}}</ref> Farokh's stay at Lancashire, was because of [[Old Trafford Cricket Ground|Old Trafford]]'s beauty and the crowd support they received, he recollects that during his time in Lancashire, fans would come from miles to see the team play, from the [[Old Trafford Cricket Ground|Old Trafford]] dressing room the team could see [[Old Trafford tram stop|Warwick Road railway station]] and before the game, they would see packed trains emptying the passengers on the platform, the players also received regular fan mails, their lockers would be stuffed full of requests for autographs and invitations to parties. The [[Pro40|John Player Sunday League]] was a revolution. Farokh's favorite innings in that competition was against [[Glamorgan County Cricket Club|Glamorgan]] at [[Trafalgar Road Ground|Southport]], where he scored 78*.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lep.co.uk/sport/football/the-big-interview-farouk-engineer-1-140562 |title=The Big Interview: Farouk Engineer - Lancashire Evening Post |website=www.lep.co.uk |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229105348/https://www.lep.co.uk/sport/football/the-big-interview-farouk-engineer-1-140562 |archive-date=2019-12-29}} </ref>
He became a vice-president of the club in later years.<ref name="znet"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rediff.com/cricket/report/eng-chat/20060510.htm |title=Dhoni reminds me of myself |work=Rediff on the Net |date=10 May 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://circleofcricket.com/category/Latest_news/8021/A-glimpse-of-Farokh-Engineers-journey-from-England-to-India |title=A glimpse of Farokh Engineer's journey from England to India |work=Circle Of Cricket |date=7 June 2017}}</ref> On 24 January 2024, at a Naman Awards ceremony, the BCCI announced that the Colonel [[C. K. Nayudu]] Lifetime Achievement Award was bestowed on both Engineer and Ravi Shastri.<ref>[https://www.bcci.tv/articles/2024/news/55556090/farokh-engineer-and-ravi-shastri-bestowed-with-col-c-k-nayudu-lifetime-achievement-awards-at-naman-awards?platform=domestic&type=men#:~:text=Nayudu%20Lifetime%20Achievement%20Awards%20at%20Naman%20Awards,-24th%20Jan%2C%202024&text=Former%20India%20wicket%2Dkeeper%20Mr,Naman%20Awards%20ceremony%20in%20Hyderabad. Lifetime Achievement Awards]. BCCI. Retrieved 30 January 2024.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bhattacharyya |first=Gautam |date=2024-01-23 |title="Better late than never": Farokh Engineer on BCCI Lifetime Achievement award |url=https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/cricket/better-late-than-never-farokh-engineer-on-bcci-lifetime-achievement-award |access-date=2025-02-01 |website=National Herald |language=en}}</ref> His contributions to Lancashire county club were recognised as a stand was inaugurated in his name during the fourth test match of the [[Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy]] between [[England cricket team|England]] and [[India national cricket team|India]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sen |first=Debasis |title="I see this as an honour for India more than just for myself": Farokh Engineer on having a stand named after him at Old Trafford |url=https://revsportz.in/i-see-this-as-an-honour-for-india-more-than-just-for-myself-farokh-engineer-on-having-a-stand-named-after-him-at-old-trafford/#:~:text=The%20Farokh%20Engineer%20stand.,PC%20%E2%80%93%20Revsportz.&text=Former%20India%20wicketkeeper%2Dbatter%2C%20Farokh,be%20honoured%20with%20a%20stand. |website=Revsportz |date=23 July 2025 }}</ref>


==In popular culture==
==In popular culture==
A bollywood film titled ''[[83 (film)|83]]'' has been released in 2021 about the event of India's first world cup win, in England in 1983. The film features [[Boman Irani]] as Engineer and is directed and produced by [[Kabir Khan (director)|Kabir Khan]] and [[Anurag Kashyap]] respectively.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Boman Irani joins Ranveer Singh's '83' clan as Farokh Engineer|url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/entertainment/bollywood/boman-irani-joins-ranveer-singhs-83-clan-as-farokh-engineer|access-date=2021-03-21|website=Free Press Journal|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=2019-08-27|title=Boman Irani to play Farokh Engineer in '83'|work=Business Standard India|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/boman-irani-to-play-farokh-engineer-in-83-119082700361_1.html|access-date=2021-03-21}}</ref>
The [[Bollywood]] film ''[[83 (film)|83]]'', released in 2021, was about India's first [[Cricket World Cup]] in 1983. It depicts Engineer, resident in England at the time, as one of the TV commentators. The film features [[Boman Irani]] as Engineer and is directed and produced by [[Kabir Khan (director)|Kabir Khan]] and [[Anurag Kashyap]] respectively.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/entertainment/bollywood/boman-irani-joins-ranveer-singhs-83-clan-as-farokh-engineer |title=Boman Irani joins Ranveer Singh's '83' clan as Farokh Engineer1 |work=Free Press Journal |date=27 August 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/boman-irani-to-play-farokh-engineer-in-83-119082700361_1.html |title=Boman Irani to play Farokh Engineer in '83' |work=Business Standard India |date=27 August 2019}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
*{{ESPNcricinfo|id=28624}}
* {{ESPNcricinfo|id=28624}}


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Latest revision as of 11:31, 22 November 2025


Farokh Engineer
Personal information
Full nameFarokh Maneksha Engineer
Born (1938-02-25) 25 February 1938 (age 88)
Bombay, Bombay Province, British India
BattingRight-handed
RoleWicket-keeper-batsman
International information
National side
Test debut (cap 102)1 December 1961 v England
Last Test23 January 1975 v West Indies
ODI debut (cap 3)13 July 1974 v England
Last ODI14 June 1975 v New Zealand
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1959/60–1974/75Bombay
1961/62–1974/75West Zone
1968–1976Lancashire
Career statistics
Competition Test ODI FC LA
Matches 46 5 335 160
Runs scored 2,611 114 13,436 3,008
Batting average 31.08 38.00 29.52 23.31
100s/50s 2/16 0/1 13/69 0/12
Top score 121 54* 192 93
Catches/stumpings 66/16 3/1 704/120 159/31
Source: CricketArchive (subscription required), 15 December 2023
Signature
2=

Farokh Maneksha Engineer (About this soundpronunciation (help·info)) (born 25 February 1938) is an Indian former cricketer. He was a wicket-keeper-batsman, usually an opening batsman, who represented India in 46 Test matches from 1961 to 1975. In first-class cricket, he played for Bombay from 1959/60 to 1974/75, for West Zone from 1961/62 to 1974/75, and for Lancashire County Cricket Club from 1968 to 1976. He was the first-choice wicket-keeper for the Rest of the World team which toured England in 1970 and Australia in 1971–72. Engineer is the first Man of the Match for India in the Men's Cricket World Cup because of his performance (54* & a catch) against East Africa in the 1975 Cricket World Cup.[1]

Engineer is the last male member of the Parsi community to have played for India,[2] although Arzan Nagwaswalla was selected for the international squad in 2021.[3]

Early life[edit | edit source]

Education and beginning of cricket career[edit | edit source]

Engineer was born 25 February 1938 into a Parsi family in Bombay.[4][5] His father Manecksha was a doctor by profession, and his mother, Minnie was a housewife. Engineer studied at the Don Bosco High School in Matunga and later at Podar College, also in Matunga.[6] Engineer became a student at the University of Bombay and, in 1958/59, played cricket for both their team and the Indian Universities team. He joined Bombay in 1959, though he continued to play for the Universities until 1961/62.[7]

During his childhood, Engineer's first ambition was to be a pilot.[2] However, he developed a love for sports from his father who played tennis and was himself a club cricketer. Farokh's older brother, Darius, was also a good club cricketer. He once took Farokh to the East Stand of the Brabourne Stadium, where they saw Denis Compton fielding. Farokh called to Compton who gave him a piece of chewing gum which he saved as his prized possession for many years.[8] His father enrolled him in Dadar Parsi Colony Sporting Club where he learned the nuances of the game from the seniors and later became a regular member of the team.[4]

Test career[edit | edit source]

NOTE: All content in this section was moved to workspace because of sourcing and POV issues. A rewrite is in progress.

Engineer played in 46 Test matches for India from 1961/62 to 1974/75. He also played in five ODIs, all in 1974/75. He scored 2,611 runs in Tests, including two centuries with a highest score of 121. He took 66 catches and completed 16 stumpings.[9]

Debut[edit | edit source]

Engineer made his Test debut on 1 December 1961 when India played England at the Modi Stadium in Kanpur. It was the second Test of the 1961/62 series. Engineer replaced Budhi Kunderan as wicket-keeper in the Indian team, and these two players competed for the role until Kunderan's retirement in 1967.[10] The first Test, played three weeks earlier, had been drawn.[11] India, captained by Nari Contractor, won the toss at Kanpur and batted first. Engineer was ninth man in at 414/7 and joined Polly Umrigar. They added 53 for the eighth wicket until Engineer was stumped by John Murray for 33. Contractor declared as soon as the wicket fell with India on 467/8 and Umrigar 147 not out. Engineer's first dismissal as a Test wicket-keeper was England opener Peter Richardson, whom he caught off Subhash Gupte for 22. Engineer later caught David Allen off Chandu Borde. England were all out for 244 and Contractor enforced the follow-on. With well over a day's play remaining, India hoped to dismiss England again and win the match, but England recovered well to score 497/5 with centuries by Geoff Pullar, Ken Barrington, and their captain Ted Dexter. The match ended in a draw.[10]

Lancashire[edit | edit source]

"He finds both cricket and life fun; he laughs easily and his jokes are often very funny but he can be grave. His appeals are as loud as anyone's yet off the field he is quietly spoken. As a batsman or wicketkeeper he is aggressive, yet he is a man of consideration and courtesy. There has always been a quality of generosity about his cricket and his way of life".

Farokh – The Cricketing Cavalier by John Arlott[12]

In 1968, when English cricket allowed its county clubs to sign overseas players, Engineer joined Lancashire alongside West Indies batsman Clive Lloyd. He spent nine seasons there, until he retired in 1976.[13] Lancashire had not won a major honour since 1950 but, while Engineer and Lloyd played for them, they became a highly successful limited overs team, winning the Gillette Cup four times and the John Player League twice.[4]

Engineer was playing for Lancashire in 1970 when he was selected as wicket-keeper for the Rest of the World team, captained by Garfield Sobers, which played five unofficial Tests against England that summer. Engineer also played for the Rest of the World cricket team in Australia in 1971–72.[4] He enjoyed life in Manchester and, having married a local lady, decided to settle there after his retirement from playing.[4] Lancashire granted him a testimonial in 1976, his final season, which raised £26,519.[13]

He became a vice-president of the club in later years.[4][14][15] On 24 January 2024, at a Naman Awards ceremony, the BCCI announced that the Colonel C. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award was bestowed on both Engineer and Ravi Shastri.[16][17] His contributions to Lancashire county club were recognised as a stand was inaugurated in his name during the fourth test match of the Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy between England and India.[18]

In popular culture[edit | edit source]

The Bollywood film 83, released in 2021, was about India's first Cricket World Cup in 1983. It depicts Engineer, resident in England at the time, as one of the TV commentators. The film features Boman Irani as Engineer and is directed and produced by Kabir Khan and Anurag Kashyap respectively.[19][20]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "East Africa vs India, 6th Match at Leeds, Jun 11 1975 – Full Scorecard". ESPN Cricinfo.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Chaudhry, Ijaz (26 July 2012). "I was born to be a one-day player". Cricket Monthly.
  3. ↑ "In pictures. Parsi cricketers who have played for India". The Hindu. 9 May 2021.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 "18 facts about Farokh Engineer". Zoroastrians.net. 29 February 2016.
  5. ↑ Shiamak Unwalla (30 July 2015). "12 Parsis who played Test cricket for India". Cricket Country.
  6. ↑ "Notable Alumni. Don Bosco High School". Don Bosco High School, Matunga. Archived from the original on 17 August 2020. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  7. ↑ Teams Farokh Engineer has played for. CricketArchive. Retrieved 15 December 2023. (subscription required)
  8. ↑ Surti, Binaisha (6 June 2016). "A Few Good Men... Farokh Engineer". Parsi Times.
  9. ↑ Farokh Engineer. CricketArchive. Retrieved 16 December 2023. (subscription required)
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 India v England 1961, Second Test. CricketArchive. Retrieved 31 January 2024. (subscription required)
  11. ↑ India v England 1961, First Test. CricketArchive. Retrieved 31 January 2024. (subscription required)
  12. ↑ "Farokh – The Cricketing Cavalier". MaxBooks. 27 August 2021.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Farokh Engineer. CricketArchive. Retrieved 15 December 2023. (subscription required)
  14. ↑ "Dhoni reminds me of myself". Rediff on the Net. 10 May 2006.
  15. ↑ "A glimpse of Farokh Engineer's journey from England to India". Circle Of Cricket. 7 June 2017.
  16. ↑ Lifetime Achievement Awards. BCCI. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  17. ↑ Bhattacharyya, Gautam (23 January 2024). ""Better late than never": Farokh Engineer on BCCI Lifetime Achievement award". National Herald. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  18. ↑ Sen, Debasis (23 July 2025). ""I see this as an honour for India more than just for myself": Farokh Engineer on having a stand named after him at Old Trafford". Revsportz.
  19. ↑ "Boman Irani joins Ranveer Singh's '83' clan as Farokh Engineer1". Free Press Journal. 27 August 2019.
  20. ↑ "Boman Irani to play Farokh Engineer in '83'". Business Standard India. 27 August 2019.

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