As the India vs England Test series is all set to begin from January 25 in Hyderabad, former India cricketer Farokh Engineer wants the matches to last for 5 days. The engineer received the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ at the Naman Awards 2024, which is the BCCI’s annual awards event to honor the achievements of Indian cricketers.
While speaking after receiving the prestigious awards, Farokh Engineer revealed that it was an honor to receive a standing ovation from one of the best Indian cricket teams. The engineer praised Indian captain Rohit Sharma and stated that the team has done well under his leadership. The engineer praised former Indian coach Ravi Shastri and current coach Rahul Dravid.
Farokh Engineer said that Ravi Shastri did a great job as coach of the Indian team and Rahul Dravid continues that great work. At the end of his speech, Engineer made a cheeky comment on England and stated that he wanted the match to last 5 days unless it went in favor of India.
Farokh Engineer’s shameless mockery of England
Farokh Engineer said: “It is an honor to receive a standing ovation from the best Indian team ever. Collectively, Rohit and the boys have done exceptionally well. Ravi Shastri did a great job and Rahul (Dravid) continued the good work. You are so strong in all departments. I’m sure every team will fear you all and should fear you all. Bazball or not. I don’t know if Brendon (McCullum) is here or not. I expect the matches to last five days unless of course it is in favor of India.”
Farokh Engineer was one of the best wicketkeepers in the history of Indian cricket. The engineer’s main career as a land holder was spent with the legendary Indian spinning quartet of Bishan Singh Bedi, Erapalli Prasanna, Bhaghwath Chandrashekar and Srinivas Venkataraghvan.
Farokh Engineer played a total of 46 Test matches for India and scored 2611 runs with two centuries and 16 half-centuries. His most memorable knock came against the West Indies in 1964-65 when he scored 94 runs ahead of Lunch against a lethal West Indies attack of Wes Hall, Charles Griffith, Gary Sobers and spinner Richard Gibbs.
Coming back to the IND vs ENG Test series is very important from the World Test Championship perspective. India is currently second in the WTC standings and will aim to win the series and add the necessary points to the points table.
England, on the other hand, arrived in India after completing their training in Abu Dhabi. England have been playing Test cricket quite differently since Ben Stokes became the captain of the team and Brendon McCullum became the head coach of the Test team.
England’s ‘bazball’ tactics, which are heavily inspired by Brendon McCullum’s style of play and mentality, have brought a lot of entertainment to Test cricket. England are the only team to have beaten India in a Test series in India in the last 12 years and will hope to repeat the same heroics in 2024. However, the last two tours have been eye-opening for England, and India are practically favorites to win the series.