I was born 40 yrs too early: Engineer

Original poster boy of Indian cricket feels the likes of MS Dhoni, Ishant Sharma deserve all the money they got at the IPL auction but hopes they stay grounded

MUMBAI: Back in 1962 Farokh Engineer was paid 2,000 pounds, quite an astronomical sum, to endorse Brylcreem. Forty-six years later the original poster boy of Indian cricket continues to wield his influence over consumers. Now, all of 69, he is the brand ambassador of Cobra Beer in the United Kingdom.  

The face of hair creams, transistors, band-aids and scooters among others in his time, Engineer was certainly the MS Dhoni and Adam Gilchrist of his time. He followed the Indian Premier League’s (IPL) high-stakes auction the other day and is happy that young Indian players are getting all the money in the cricket world. “I was born 40 years too early. Seeing the money these cricketers have got at the IPL auction makes me want to get back on the field even at this ripe old age. Does any team need a manager?

I am ready to do the job. I would love to come to India and work with cricketers,” Engineer told DNA from London. Engineer is heartened by the money cricketers get nowadays, and there is no sense of bitterness in him.

“It is great for the sport. Now, cricketers will soon be on par with the best footballers and basketball players in the world. For someone like fast bowler Ishant Sharma, whom I rate very highly, the near-million dollars he got at the auction must encourage him to perform even better.”

Like Dhoni, Engineer was a flashy wicketkeeper batsman, who also opened for India. He remembers how Brylcreem had put up huge hoarding of him endorsing the brand at Chowpatti. “Dhoni’s game and demeanour remind me a lot of my younger days.

Dhoni got $1.5 million at the auction because of his ‘pulling power’ or marketability. Of course he is also a powerful hitter of the ball and is a true entertainer. The spectators love to see him come out and play and he is very friendly and jovial.

I interacted with him during India’s tour of England and gave him a few tips also. He is the perfect package and will be huge in the T20 game. In Dhoni’s case it has to do with his popularity rather than his skills. Sachin Tendulkar is still the most skilled player, but Dhoni matches him in popularity. No wonder Dhoni got so much money,” Engineer added.

He hopes, however, that the young Indian players don’t lose their heads after seeing the windfall. “They must all stay grounded. I hope the IPL encourages them to work harder on their fitness, and try to be at the peak of their game always, as they will end up playing more games. Playing for India should remain their priority and no one should get carried away with all the hype around the IPL.”

Engineer was the first Indian to get offers from counties in 1967, and he chose a Lancashire side that had in their ranks Barry Richards, Garry Sobers and Rohan Kanhai. West Indian skipper Clive Lloyd joined the county also, which Engineer said was the Manchester United of that day, because they won everything.

But being a professional back then did not go down well with everyone. “I believe Vijay Merchant, the chief selector, didn’t pick me for the away tour of West Indies in 1971, because he didn’t probably like the smell of the aftershave I was endorsing,” Engineer, who still holds an Indian passport, added jokingly.

“In those days we used to get Rs250 for a Test match and Rs15 for a three-day Ranji game. I used to stay in Dadar and if I took a taxi to travel to Churchgate, it would cost me more than Rs 15.”

Engineer believes that it was the advent of the Indian Cricket League that made the BCCI sit up and realise the potential of IPL. “I also want these cricketers do some charity work and hold free coaching classes for budding youngsters. They must give back to cricket and society.”