Eden rechristen young Parthiv

Parthiv Patel is one cricketer the crowd loves to dote on. At the Eden Gardens, where 90 per cent of the spectators of the India-West Indies Test are more than Patel’s age, the boyish teenage wicketkeeper has been variously nicknamed.

From Partho, Bengal’s commonest possible name, to the more adorable dadubhai, an address for the very young, Patel has been christened in myriad ways by the cheer-force. Though he has gone unshaven for a few days to grow that stubble, even the official press box scorer refers to him as Parthiv ’bachcha’ Patel while announcing his figures. As the vocal stumper holds his appeal lasting quite a few seconds at decibles certainly not welcome for the batsman on the crease, the crowd shrieks in empathy.

The youngest wicketkeeper to play Tests, Patel has charmed his way through women’s hearts too, albeit in a different fashion. They refer to him lovingly as the cute little ’chota bhaiya’.