It is a shame for the community that not a single Parsi has been on the Indian team since the retirement of Farokh Engineer who played his last Test match in 1974-75. But, on the other hand, there are many from the community who are still closely associated with the game in other ways.
Bomi Jamula (international cricket umpire) is serving with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) as a coach for umpires. For many years now he has been coaching umpires from the UK and other countries. He has served as president of the Association of Cricket Umpires, India.
Shiraz Gimi of Nagpur is vice president of the Vidarbha Cricket Association. At present, Farokh Dastoor is the Association’s general manager and is slated to become director of the Umpiring Academy of the BCCI.
Rusi Jijibhoi, who was unfortunate in not being able to play Test matches during the India tour of the West Indies in 1970-71, is chairman, TRDO (Talent Resource Development Office) in the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), Calcutta. He also serves as a manager of the CAB team.
How can we forget Rusi Bhamgara of Bombay who has always tried his best to help the younger generation of the community to take up cricket seriously? He served the Parsi Gymkhana as honorary secretary for many years and at present is its vice president. He is also joint honorary secretary of World Zoroastrian Organisation-India, executive secretary of the Princess Victoria Mary Gymkhana, general secretary of FOZAWAC (Federation of Zoroastrian Associations for Welfare and Culture), honorary joint secretary of All Sports Foundation and trustee of the Dadar Parsi Welfare Centre.
Former Indian women’s captain, Diana Eduljee Padma Shri has created a world record by becoming selector of the Railways’ Men’s Ranji team. She also looks after the cricketing activities of the staff of Western Railway.
Many Parsis are associated with cricket in Hyderabad and Secunderabad. Former first class cricketer Noshir Mehta is a coach and Minoo Siganporia, manager of the Parsi Zoroastrian Club’s team, with Jehangir Batliwala as its president, Omin Debara as the vice president, Ervad Mehernoz Bharucha, the secretary and Lt Col (retd) Aspi Eduljee, treasurer. Their selfless efforts have produced cricketers like Khushal Jilla (South Zone cricketer), Jamsheed Hormusji and Varzawand Debara.
Col C. K. Nayudu awardee and former India captain Nari Contractor is using his vast experience by coaching youngsters at the Cricket Club of India in Bombay.
Noomi Mehta, managing director and chairman of Selvel, is president of the Parsi Club, Calcutta and is eager to promote cricketing activities among Parsi youth there.
Navzar Dotivala of Tata Steel in Jamshedpur looks after the progress of Parsi cricketers of his region with high hopes.
Zubin Bharucha, who scored a century on his Ranji Trophy debut, is busy training the Rajasthan Royals team of the Indian Premier League-3, 2010.
So, though all is not well with Parsi cricket, all is not lost either!
KEKI DOODHWALA
Umpire, Board of Control for Cricket in Indi (BCCI)
Surat