Dhoni is an enigma, says Engineer

July 31, 2014 12:48 am | Updated 12:48 am IST - Southampton

Farokh Engineer.

Farokh Engineer.

A conversation with Farokh Engineer has to weave past many interruptions. Every time he warms up to a subject, an old buddy will say: ‘hi there, good to see you.’ There’s a digression and once his friend leaves, he winks and says: “sorry about that.”

The former India wicketkeeper-batsman’s popularity hasn’t dimmed at all. It’s been the same since those days when he modelled for Brylcreem.

Settled in England and having played for Lancashire for years, Engineer at 76, remains exuberant and when the television cameras pick him, David Gower says: “Ah, there is Farokh.”

Engineer, who played 46 Tests (66 catches, 16 stumpings and 2,611 runs) between 1961 and 1975 besides 335 first-class games, spoke about M.S. Dhoni, in whom he saw a mirror image. But what lingered most was his love for India.

Excerpts :

Dhoni, the enigma

I am very happy with Dhoni because he reminds me of my younger days, the cavalier approach and all that.

A wicketkeeper has to be on his own and in the last match, he stood back to the spinner which was baffling, but Dhoni is an enigma.

He has done great for Indian cricket and will remain my good friend. We talk about wicketkeeping and other things.

Where are his rivals?

Dhoni hasn’t had to look over his shoulder. There are other keepers, arguably perhaps even better, but they will find it difficult because it’s their bad luck that they are born in this era. With me also it happened, there was Budhi Kunderan, I was always a wicketkeeper and he should have been left alone as a brilliant fielder and batsman. Unfortunately they saw him just as a wicketkeeper. I felt sorry for him and, perhaps, that’s one of the reasons I quit because there were younger guys like Kiri (Syed Kirmani) coming in. I helped him a lot and thought he was ready.

India rules

I wish I was born 50 years later but you cannot help it. I am grateful to god and my parents for having given me a talent and I always help youngsters without expecting anything in return.

I want India to do well, chak de India ; I love India, fiercely proud of India. It’s all the more so while living here. One word against us and I chew them up alive.

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