Farokh Engineer: I'm very well and don't even need viagra at 78

This is ex-India wicketkeeper-batsman Farokh Engineer’s message to friends and teammates, after rumours flew thick and fast about his 'death' on social media

Erstwhile India cricketer Farokh Engineer on a recent visit to the city

What do former India cricketers Farokh Engineer and Syed Abid Ali have in common? Both were India's unbeaten batsmen when Ajit Wadekar's men defeated England in a Test for the first time on English soil at the Oval in 1971. There's more. Both these stalwarts were subjects of false rumours that they were dead.

While word got round about Abid Ali's death over 25 years ago, Engineer 'suffered' the same fate on Sunday and yesterday when rumours flew thick and fast about his 'death' on social media.

In fact, an Indian newspaper printed an obituary on Abid Ali way back then. Manchester-based Engineer (78) admitted receiving "half a dozen" calls from friends on Sunday evening, enquiring whether he was okay.

Farokh Engineer in his younger days

Then, 24 hours later, he revealed that he got about at least 100 calls from India, America and England. "I don't understand who could spread such a rumour," said Engineer, quickly looking at the funny side of things.

"A friend of mine called, and when he heard my voice, he asked whether it was really me. I responded by saying, 'no, it's my ghost you are listening to," said Engineer with a chuckle.

Former Mumbai captain Shishir Hattangadi turned to Facebook to convince the cricket fraternity that Engineer was in good shape: "Dear friends, this news doing the rounds of Farokh Engineer is a hoax. Farokh is fine. Please defuse all rumours on Farokh."

The rumour of Engineer came close on the heels of the false news of tennis great Roger Federer's accident in Spain last week. "At least, I am in good company," remarked Engineer.

All through yesterday, this correspondent received calls from Engineer's former Mumbai and India teammates about his health. One childhood friend of Engineer's was even ready with a couple anecdotes about this once mischievous kid from Dadar for an obituary.

Engineer has a message to all his friends: "Friends, I am alive and kicking. I am very well and let me tell you I don't even need viagra at 78."

Soon, Engineer will be in Mumbai, meeting his friends everyday and tucking into his favourite kebabs at the Cricket Club of India.

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