Indian cricket pays rich tribute to Tiger Pataudi

New Delhi, (IANS) Present and former cricketers paid rich tributes to former Indian captain Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, who passed away here Thursday after battling a lung infection.



Abbas Ali Baig: It is a terrible moment indeed. His health was deteriorating and eventually he had to give away. He was suffering but he wasn't really sure about the extent of his suffering. He had the talent not only to play for the country but also to lead it to perfection.

Erapalli Prasanna: What we are today in the spin department is because of Pataudi. He had the vision what we could do really on spin bowling to win matches. It is the greatest loss for Indian cricket.

Mohinder Amarnath: I played my first Test under him. He was a great cricketer and a real person to look up to. He used to show a lot of aggression on the field. He showed great fielding skills at a time when we did not have good fielders. He was man of a few word but whatever he said was encouraging.

Sachin Tendulakr: It is a terrible loss for Indian cricket. I had the privilege of meeting him on a few occasions.

Anil Kumble: When we got together for the formation of the Players Association, he readily agreed to become the president. He was the most gentle person I met. He made us feel as Indian cricketers were held in high esteem. Gundappa Vishwanath had great stories to tell about Pataudi. It is a sad moment not only for Indian cricket but also for the entire country.

Rahul Dravid: He is an absolute legend of the game. We never saw him playing but heard so many stories about him from the likes of Prasanna, (Gundappa) Vishwanath and (Bhagwath) Chandrashekhar. He was an inspirational cricketer and that is a fantastic legacy to leave behind. He made the game popular with his personality and leadership skills. He gave a pan-Indian flavour to the game. During 2002, he helped us a lot during the sponsorship issue with the ICC. It was really encouraging to listen to him.

Imran Khan (former Pakistan captain): He was the contemporary of my elder cousin (Javed Burki) and a very popular cricketer in Pakistan. He was a crowd puller. The way he played with one eye was amazing. Imagine, what he could have done with proper vision.

Sanjay Manjrekar: As long as the game is alive he will be remembered. His personality was like Imran Khan. He could mingle with anyone.

Krishnamachari Srikkanth: It is quite shocking. He was one of the most determined and a stylish cricketers. He was one guy who hit the ball really hard. During the 2003 World Cup, I had lots of opportunities to spend time with him in the commentary box. During review meetings in the BCCI, he never imposed anything on anyone. He was a symbol of aggression and style. His fielding was amazing.

Bollywood mourns Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi's death

Indian film fraternity today expressed shock and sadness over the demise of former Indian cricket captain Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi.

The 70-year-old cricketer breathed his last here this evening after battling a lung infection.

He is survived by wife Sharmila Tagore, son Saif Ali Khan and daughters Saba Ali Khan and Soha Ali Khan. Many took to Twitter to pay tribute to one of India's finest captains.

"Sad news...Tiger Pataudi passes away," said Bachchan, who starred with the cricketer's actress-wife Sharmila Tagore in films like 'Chupke Chupke' and 'Viruddh'.

Lyricist Prasoon Joshi said Pataudi's death was a great loss. "I have met him briefly and because I am close to Sharmilaji, we have discussed him and his life many times. All I can say is that it is great loss. I am shocked. God bless him," Joshi told PTI.

Actor-comedian Boman Irani too tweeted his tribute to the great cricketer. "MAK Pataudi passes away! RIP."

Actor Riteish Deshmukh wrote, "RIP Tiger Pataudi - True cricketing legend passes away." Arbaaz Khan wrote: "RIP Tiger Pataudi. One of the India's finest captains."

Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur called Pataudi one of the most "corageous cricketers" in the world.

"Tiger has left us. One of the most courageous cricketers the world has known, who took on the fastest bowlers in the world after loosing one eye. "Deepest condolences to Sharmila, Saif, Soha and Saba, Tiger Pataudi will be missed, one of the biggest icons of my generation, why so early?," Kapur said.

Actor Rahul Bose recalled being coached by the cricketer once summer.

"Distraught to hear about Tiger Pataudi's demise. He was a great captain, player, gentleman and my coach for a summer. Will never forget him," Bose wrote.

'Rang De Basanti' star Siddharth wrote: "One of the greatest people I have ever had the good fortune of knowing passed away today. goodbye and RIP, the great 'Tiger' Pataudi..."

Musician Vishal Dadlani said, "Tiger Pataudi. A Legend in the true sense of the word. RIP, Sir."

Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi dies aged 70

	'Tiger' Pataudi was Test cricket's youngest captain© PA Photos

Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, who overcame an impaired eye to become a visionary and pioneering captain of the Indian Test team, has died in Dehli at the age of 70. He was suffering from interstitial lung disease. He is survived by his wife Sharmila Tagore, his son Saif Ali Khan and his two daughters Soha and Saba Ali Khan. Tagore, Saif and Soha are prominent actors in India's film industry.

Pataudi's career timeline December 13, 1961: Makes debut against England in Delhi, scores 13. January 10, 1962: Scores maiden century in his third Test, 113 against England in Chennai. March 23, 1962: Leads India in his fourth Test, in Barbados, and at 21 is Test cricket's youngest captain. February 12-13, 1964: Makes career-best score, 203 not out against England in Delhi. February-March 1968: Leads India to their first overseas Test in, in Dunedin. India go on to win an away series for the first time, beating New Zealand 3-1. January 23, 1975: Plays his final Test, scoring 9 in each innings against West Indies in Mumbai.

Pataudi played 46 Tests between 1961 and 1975 and was arguably India's greatest captain. He was given the leadership in his fourth Test, when he was 21, in Barbados in 1962, because the regular captain Nari Contractor was in hospital after getting hit on the head by Charlie Griffith. Pataudi was the youngest Test captain, a record that stood until 2004. He led India in 40 Tests and had a successful career despite impaired vision in his right eye, which was damaged in a car accident. He also captained Sussex and Oxford University.

India won nine Tests under Pataudi and it was during his tenure that the team began to believe it could succeed. He advocated the multi-spinner strategy because he believed India needed to play to their strengths and used it to achieve their first overseas Test win, in Dunedin in 1968. India went on to record their first away series victory, beating New Zealand 3-1. Pataudi was the Wisden Cricketer of the Year that year.

Pataudi scored 2793 runs at an average of 35 and made six centuries, the biggest of which was an unbeaten 203 against England in Delhi in 1964. However, many rate his 75, scored on one leg with one eye, against Australia in Melbourne in 1967-68 as his finest. Pataudi retired in 1975 after West Indies' tour of India. After retirement, Pataudi served as a match referee between 1993 and 1996, officiating in two Tests and ten ODIs, but largely stayed away from cricket administration.

Pataudi was the ninth and last Nawab of Pataudi until 1971, when the Indian government abolished royal entitlements through the 26th Amendment to the Constitution.He was also the editor of Sportsworld, the now defunct cricket magazine, and a television commentator in the 1980s but gradually withdrew from an active role, though he remained a strong voice in Indian cricket.

Since 2007, bilateral Test series between India and England have been contested for the Pataudi Trophy, named after his family for their contribution to Anglo-Indian cricket. Pataudi's father, Iftikhar Ali Khan, represented both England and India in Tests. Pataudi had taken ill since his return from England this summer after presenting the Pataudi Trophy to Andrew Strauss at the end of the four-Test series.

Pataudi was also a consultant to the BCCI from 2007 and part of the first IPL governing council but refused to continue in the role in October 2010, when the BCCI made significant changes to the league following the sacking of Lalit Modi as its chairman. As the spate of controversies increased, Pataudi was the only member of the governing council to admit the body's culpability, saying it "failed in its role to monitor the IPL's administration and be more questioning of decisions taken." He also took the BCCI to court in April this year, claiming the board had not abided by its contract with him while he was a consultant as well as a member of the IPL governing council. © ESPN EMEA Ltd.