Name Hindi: केकी तारापोर / Gender Man
Keki Khurshedji Tarapore: A Chronicler of India’s Cricket History
One of the most remarkable and historically significant figures in Indian cricket history is Keki Khurshedji Tarapore. Born on November 17, 1930, in Secunderabad, Andhra Pradesh, this right-handed batsman made a name for himself not only as a stellar player but also as a legendary coach.
Playing Career
Although his professional debut was against Madras during the Ranji Trophy tournament in December 1951, it was his performance the following year that catapulted him to prominence. He played with Hyderabad until early 1964 and scored an impressive total of 1447 runs in 40 first-class matches at an average of exactly 31.
- Batting Average: In First-Class games, Tarapore has had an average of approx. 30.94 Runs per Innings. This marked consistency earned him respect from fans and adversaries alike.
- Scores: His highest score as a leading batsman is documented as ’89 Not Out’. Keki represented Hyderabad cricket team between seasons 1951-52 to 1963-64 and also East Zone team during Duleep Trophy Season.
Coaching Career
In addition to being an accomplished cricketer, he quickly showed promise as an instructor after retirement from play in 1964. As head coach of MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai from its establishment in 1987 until his retirement in October 2000, he coached numerous young prospects who went onto make contributions to Indian cricket’s golden era. That says much about his coaching vision and adaptability to evolving techniques.
- Coaching Style: Renowned for his gentle and patient approach to coaching, he believed strongly in the fundamentals of cricket- flawless technique and relentless practice. His efforts transformed novices into players who represented India on an international level.
- MRF Pace Foundation: Under Tarapore’s stewardship, the MRF Pace Foundation became one of the most revered cricketing institutions globally. He nurtured talent like Bharat Arun (India’s current bowling coach), Subroto Banerjee, Vivek Razdan, and Dodda Ganesh, thereby leaving a lasting legacy.
A Legacy Remembered
Keki Khurshedji Tarapore passed away at 92 years on March 14th, 2014 but left behind an impeccable service rendered to Indian Cricket history. Recognized with awards such as BCCI’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008-09 aside from significant acclaim and respect in cricket circles across the world, Keki continues to inspire generations of cricket enthusiasts with tales of dedication, success and grace.
