Mumbai Cricket Association’s (MCA) scorer and statistician, Ramesh Parab, 65, has tracked many a fighting innings from his scorer’s seat at matches across all levels of the willow game. But in the COVID-19 pandemic he played one himself, albeit on a different pitch – the hospital bed. He was even unconscious for 28 days, ravaged by COVID-19, Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) and pneumonia last June and July.

But he fought his fears, conquered pain and emerged from a near-helpless situation to do what he loves doing, and does best – cricket scoring. Within six months of his recovery, Parab was back, scoring for the India versus Australia Brisbane Test from the Doordarshan studio in Delhi in January.