It was ironic that when Hyderabad Cricket was going through one of its dark phases, the best of them came together to celebrate only their second Ranji Trophy title won in 1987-88.
But as the protagonist said, it’s during dark times that you have to “put your shoulder to the wheel”, and this statement lucidly illustrates the player, the man and the leader. MV Narasimha Rao East.
Bobjee, as he is affectionately known in Hyderabad and Bobby Rao, as he is known in Ireland, which he called home after 1988, has plenty to be proud of when he looks back on his cricketing career. spanning two decades, which included four tests. , the piece de resistance being Ranji’s title triumph. Quite a feat for the all-rounder – mid-range batter, leg spinner and fantastic close defender – given that it was Bobjee’s coach Eddie Aibara who won Ranji’s previous title for Hyderabad in 1937-38 .
By the way, it’s a feat that VVS Laxman, probably Bobjee’s most famous student, and he coached a few celebrities, lamented that he couldn’t achieve despite the Hyderabad final in 2000 .
Stories like these made for a heady Saturday night as Bobjee’s family, friends, teammates and contemporaries gathered to celebrate his career and unveil BOBBY India and Ireland… A Love Story, a book he co-wrote with Conor Sharkey. “It was my first coaching course at St John’s Academy and Bobjee sir had come over and wanted to check our grip. I was so upset I showed him the wrong grip,” Laxman said.
Bobjee, Laxman said, played a big role in his growth as a cricketer and as a human being. “He followed my career and everywhere in the world I played he called me to tell me how I could improve. To leave the country and realize what he has done to overcome racism is commendable. Whenever I talk to (Eoin) Morgan, Willliam Porterfield, the O’Brien brothers and Ed Joyce, they ask about him and it shows the impact he’s had on them And despite all the talk about his rock looks star, I saw that even in Strabane (Northern Ireland) Indian traditions,” Laxman recounted and praised Josephine, Bobjee’s wife and three children for being a constant source of support and encouragement.
Bobjee’s selfless work in sport and courage in serving the ethnic community of Northern Ireland earned him the MBE. “It is not grip and technique but teamwork and unity that makes a team successful. The Hyderabad team that won the Ranji Trophy was like a family. Personally , I owe my career to my brother Ranganath Rao,” Bobjee said.
There were more stories of Bobjee’s flowing locks, yellow car and crouching on concrete benches to watch him and Saad bin Jung beat Clive Lloyd’s West Indies at Lal Bahadur Stadium in 1978. His contributions to the HCA Academy were also recalled.
BCCI President Roger Binny has told how much of a prankster Bobjee was during his time with the Indian team and such a glutton. “We had a great time playing for South Zone in Duleep Trophy and India. Hyderabad brings back so many good memories. Every year we were supposed to come to Hyderabad for season opening (Moin-ud- Dowlah Gold Cup),” he recalled. .
Municipal Police Commissioner CV Anand, Principal Secretary for IT (IT and Industries and Commerce) Jayesh Ranjan and author Sharkey were also present on the dais. Former BCCI Chairman (Acting) N Shivlal Yadav, Arshad Ayub, Abdul Azeem, Vijay Mohan Raj, Rajesh Yadav, Hari Mohan Paruvu, RA Swaroop, Jyothi Shetty, Ehtesham, Faiyaz Baig, Kanwaljit Singh, Noshir Mehta, 3Vikram Mansingh and Vidyuth Jaisimha were part of the gathering.
But as the protagonist said, it’s during dark times that you have to “put your shoulder to the wheel”, and this statement lucidly illustrates the player, the man and the leader. MV Narasimha Rao East.
Bobjee, as he is affectionately known in Hyderabad and Bobby Rao, as he is known in Ireland, which he called home after 1988, has plenty to be proud of when he looks back on his cricketing career. spanning two decades, which included four tests. , the piece de resistance being Ranji’s title triumph. Quite a feat for the all-rounder – mid-range batter, leg spinner and fantastic close defender – given that it was Bobjee’s coach Eddie Aibara who won Ranji’s previous title for Hyderabad in 1937-38 .
By the way, it’s a feat that VVS Laxman, probably Bobjee’s most famous student, and he coached a few celebrities, lamented that he couldn’t achieve despite the Hyderabad final in 2000 .
Stories like these made for a heady Saturday night as Bobjee’s family, friends, teammates and contemporaries gathered to celebrate his career and unveil BOBBY India and Ireland… A Love Story, a book he co-wrote with Conor Sharkey. “It was my first coaching course at St John’s Academy and Bobjee sir had come over and wanted to check our grip. I was so upset I showed him the wrong grip,” Laxman said.
Bobjee, Laxman said, played a big role in his growth as a cricketer and as a human being. “He followed my career and everywhere in the world I played he called me to tell me how I could improve. To leave the country and realize what he has done to overcome racism is commendable. Whenever I talk to (Eoin) Morgan, Willliam Porterfield, the O’Brien brothers and Ed Joyce, they ask about him and it shows the impact he’s had on them And despite all the talk about his rock looks star, I saw that even in Strabane (Northern Ireland) Indian traditions,” Laxman recounted and praised Josephine, Bobjee’s wife and three children for being a constant source of support and encouragement.
Bobjee’s selfless work in sport and courage in serving the ethnic community of Northern Ireland earned him the MBE. “It is not grip and technique but teamwork and unity that makes a team successful. The Hyderabad team that won the Ranji Trophy was like a family. Personally , I owe my career to my brother Ranganath Rao,” Bobjee said.
There were more stories of Bobjee’s flowing locks, yellow car and crouching on concrete benches to watch him and Saad bin Jung beat Clive Lloyd’s West Indies at Lal Bahadur Stadium in 1978. His contributions to the HCA Academy were also recalled.
BCCI President Roger Binny has told how much of a prankster Bobjee was during his time with the Indian team and such a glutton. “We had a great time playing for South Zone in Duleep Trophy and India. Hyderabad brings back so many good memories. Every year we were supposed to come to Hyderabad for season opening (Moin-ud- Dowlah Gold Cup),” he recalled. .
Municipal Police Commissioner CV Anand, Principal Secretary for IT (IT and Industries and Commerce) Jayesh Ranjan and author Sharkey were also present on the dais. Former BCCI Chairman (Acting) N Shivlal Yadav, Arshad Ayub, Abdul Azeem, Vijay Mohan Raj, Rajesh Yadav, Hari Mohan Paruvu, RA Swaroop, Jyothi Shetty, Ehtesham, Faiyaz Baig, Kanwaljit Singh, Noshir Mehta, 3Vikram Mansingh and Vidyuth Jaisimha were part of the gathering.
