The article "Dastoor’s decisions” (Parsiana, August 7, 2011) has highlighted the many achievements of a very colorful character whom I have known for many years and admired for his sincerity, hard work, outspokenness, humor, intelligence and deep knowledge specially of cricket, amongst other fields.
One aspect which has received a passing reference in the article is his passion for cricket which has been a lifelong obsession for Farokh Dastoor. He still remains the angry young (old) man of the depleted Parsi cricket team in Nagpur. Whether as a batsman, bowler, wicket keeper, fielder, coach, manager or scorer, he has always given his 100 percent with his genuine colorful Parsi vocabulary bursting forth when he is given an out along with excuses which only he believes in! Though often ribbed more for his lapses than his good performances, he has been a true sportsman and a rare team man with whom we all shared great bonhomie. Mingling with mates of all ages with equanimity and admired even by his opponents Tinchu, as he’s called by us, with his trademark white floppy hat has played for over 45 years and continues to do so, time permitting. Dastoor is one of the oldest participants in the Irani Trophy. He has been an inspiration to all with his untiring zeal and love for the game and is one of the first to come for net practice at 6.30 a.m.
Dastoor is a typical Parsi with his fondness for the three Bs — books, bottle and babes! Outspoken and sporting, he has been a pillar of strength for the Nagpur Parsis cricket team as far as one can remember.
PERCY NAZIR
Nagpur
diltush@gmail.com