Some things are irreplaceable at Eden Gardens like scorer Shaik Abdur Rehman. In this age of laptops, where stats are available at the click of a button, Rehman's style of maintaining records in his notebook still has many takers.
Some things are irreplaceable at Eden Gardens like scorer Shaik Abdur Rehman. In this age of laptops, where stats are available at the click of a button, Rehman's style of maintaining records in his notebook still has many takers.
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Eden Garden,Kolkata,Shaik Abdur Rehman,Scorer |
Though the veteran scorer is not scoring in the ongoing second Test, Rehman burns the midnight oil updating statistics.
Rehman has been a favourite among local and touring journalists from across the cricket globe because of his inimitable style of announcing scores and stats. He's been scoring all over India and was a regular at the Wankhede Stadium from 1974-75 till 1994-95, but the Eden Gardens press box was his bastion. "Starting in 1969, I have done scoring for all Test matches played at the Eden Gardens. This is the first Test for which I have not been appointed," said Rehman.
Though Rehman was not officially appointed, he was at the second Test yesterday, noting down the scores in his personal scorebook which he carries for every game. What endeared Rehman to the journos was his sense of humour. He would call Paul Collingwood as Paul Hollywood.
During his prime, Rehman was a big hit with the Wankhede crowd too. "I was the scorer at the first Test played at Wankhede between West Indies and India. Clive Lloyd scored 242 not out and for India, Eknath Solkar got 102.
Crowd favourite
"Wankhede had an open press box then and I used to announce the scores so loudly that even Sunil Gavaskar would acknowledge from the crease by waving his bat to indicate that he has heard it," said Rehman. "The late Sharad Kotnis (veteran journalist) would always invite me for the Tests and looked after me well."
Narrating an incident highlighting his demand all over India, the genial Rehman said: "For the India vs West Indies 1994-95 Test at Mohali, IS Bindra insisted to (Jagmohan) Dalmiya that he wanted me for the game.
Dalmiya told him he would arrange a scorer for him. To which Bindra said: 'There are a number of scorers in Punjab, but we want Rehman'."
"There was something in my voice that people loved my style and I thank God for it."
Rehman retired from Eastern Railway on December 31, 2009, the day he turned 60. Now, he is planning to settle down in Bangalore. "I would love to do scoring at Eden Gardens again. Whenever they invite me, I will be at their service."
