Farokh Engineer Records & Statistics
Farokh Engineer Records, Stats, Wicketkeeping Records & Career Achievements
Farokh Engineer – India’s First Glamorous Wicketkeeper-Batsman
Farokh Engineer was one of India’s finest wicketkeeper-batsmen and among the most entertaining cricketers of his era. Known for his aggressive batting, energetic wicketkeeping, and charismatic personality, Engineer played a key role in Indian cricket during the 1960s and 1970s.
He was one of the pioneers of attacking wicketkeeper-batting and became the first Indian wicketkeeper to establish himself as a genuine match-winning batsman at the international level.
Player Profile
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Farokh Maneksha Engineer |
| Born | 25 February 1938 |
| Birth Place | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Country | India |
| Batting Style | Right-Hand Bat |
| Role | Wicketkeeper-Batsman |
| Test Debut | vs England, 1961 |
| International Career | 1961–1975 |
Career Statistics
Test Cricket
| Matches | Runs | Average | 100s | 50s | Highest Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 46 | 2,611 | 31.08 | 2 | 16 | 121 |
Wicketkeeping Record
| Matches | Catches | Stumpings |
|---|---|---|
| 46 | 66 | 16 |
For many years, he held the record for most dismissals by an Indian wicketkeeper in Test cricket.
First-Class Cricket
| Matches | Runs | Average | Centuries |
|---|---|---|---|
| 335 | 13,740+ | 36+ | 29 |
Engineer enjoyed a highly successful domestic and county cricket career.
Major Career Records
India’s First Modern Wicketkeeper-Batsman
Before Engineer, wicketkeepers were selected mainly for their glovework. He changed that perception by becoming a reliable run-scorer and aggressive batsman.
Career Milestone
| Achievement |
|---|
| First Indian wicketkeeper to score 2,500+ Test runs |
His success inspired future generations of Indian wicketkeeper-batsmen.
Record Dismissals for India
At the time of his retirement:
- Most catches by an Indian wicketkeeper.
- Most dismissals by an Indian wicketkeeper.
- Among India’s most successful wicketkeepers.
Historic Partnership with Sunil Gavaskar
Opening India’s Batting Revolution
Engineer formed a successful opening partnership with:
- Sunil Gavaskar
The pair provided India with aggressive starts and played a significant role in India’s success during the early 1970s.
County Cricket Success
Lancashire Legend
Engineer became one of the first Indian cricketers to achieve major success in English county cricket.
Lancashire Career
| Matches | Runs |
|---|---|
| 175+ | 5,900+ |
His performances made him a fan favorite in English cricket.
Famous Innings
121 vs England
Highest Test Score
| Runs |
|---|
| 121 |
One of his finest innings against a strong England bowling attack.
87 vs West Indies
A memorable innings against one of the strongest bowling attacks of the era.
Match-Winning Contributions Overseas
Engineer often produced valuable performances in England, New Zealand, and the West Indies.
Wicketkeeping Excellence
Behind the Stumps
Test Career Record
| Dismissals | Total |
|---|---|
| Catches | 66 |
| Stumpings | 16 |
| Total | 82 |
His quick reflexes and sharp glove work made him one of the world’s best wicketkeepers of his time.
Awards & Honors
- Padma Shri (1973)
- CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire)
- Honorary Life Member of Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC)
His contributions were recognized both in India and internationally.
Interesting Facts
Unique Achievements
- One of the first Indian cricket superstars.
- Among the earliest wicketkeeper-batsmen to regularly attack bowlers.
- Played county cricket successfully for Lancashire.
- Helped popularize Indian cricket internationally.
Record-Breaking Keeper
For several years, Engineer’s dismissal records stood as Indian benchmarks before being surpassed by later wicketkeepers.
Contribution to Indian Cricket
Engineer’s influence extended beyond statistics.
Legacy
- Raised standards of wicketkeeping.
- Demonstrated the value of wicketkeeper-batsmen.
- Inspired future stars like:
- Syed Kirmani
- Nayan Mongia
- MS Dhoni
Why Farokh Engineer Is Special
Engineer’s greatness was built on:
✅ Aggressive batting
✅ Excellent wicketkeeping
✅ International success
✅ County cricket achievements
✅ Pioneering wicketkeeper-batsman role
He remains one of the most influential wicketkeepers in Indian cricket history.
Career Highlights
| Achievement | Record |
|---|---|
| Test Matches | 46 |
| Test Runs | 2,611 |
| Test Centuries | 2 |
| Test Fifties | 16 |
| Test Dismissals | 82 |
| Highest Test Score | 121 |
| Padma Shri | 1973 |
FAQs
Why is Farokh Engineer famous?
Farokh Engineer is famous for being one of India’s greatest wicketkeeper-batsmen and a pioneer of aggressive wicketkeeper batting.
How many Test runs did Farokh Engineer score?
He scored 2,611 runs in 46 Test matches.
How many dismissals did Farokh Engineer make in Test cricket?
He completed 82 dismissals (66 catches and 16 stumpings).
Which county team did Farokh Engineer play for?
He played successfully for Lancashire County Cricket Club in England.
Was Farokh Engineer an opening batsman?
Yes, he often opened the innings for India, particularly alongside Sunil Gavaskar.
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