ICC President Sharad Pawar pays tribute to `Tiger` Pataudi

Dubai: ICC President Sharad Pawar on Friday paid tribute to late former India skipper Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, saying that he was one of the "greatest, most charismatic and flamboyant captains" to lead the country`s cricket team.

"On behalf of the International Cricket Council (ICC), I condole the passing of `Tiger` Pataudi who was one of India`s greatest, most charismatic and flamboyant captains," Pawar said in a statement.

Aged 70, Pataudi breathed his last yesterday after battling a lung infection for the past few weeks.

Pataudi led India in 40 of the 46 Tests he played between 1961 and 1975 and his finest moment came in 1967 when he guided the country to its maiden overseas Test series triumph.

"Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi was a man of exceptional talent who turned out to be an inspiration to millions of cricketers, not only in India but across the globe. It was an honour and privilege to have known him," said Pawar.

"Mansur Ali Khan became a true darling of India cricket due to his on the field heroics and off the field easy manners. After retirement, he maintained his close association with the game in different capacities, including as a commentator."

"Whenever he shared his views on the game, they were taken seriously as they were considered to be coming right from the bottom of the heart of one of India`s greatest servants of the game. He will be sorely missed," Pawar added.

ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat also paid tribute to Pataudi, who fondly called `Tiger` for flamboyant persona.

"I was sad to learn of the demise of India`s iconic former Test captain Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi.

"...I had the privilege of discussing with him the past, present and future of Test and 50-over cricket. It was absolutely fascinating to hear his views and confidence in these formats," he said.

A Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1968, Pataudi scored 2,793 runs at an average of 35 and included six centuries. He also served as an ICC match referee in two Tests and 10 ODIs between 1993 and 1996.

PTI

View the original article here

Pataudi was a dashing and daring captain: PM

New York: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has condoled the death of "legendary cricketer" Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, "dashing and daring captain, who brought a new confidence to the Indian cricket scene."

In a message Manmohan Singh, who is in New York to attend the UN session, said: "Even after his playing days were over, he remained an iconic figure, an embodiment of poise and polish and a great advocate of sportsmanship."

"I join thousands of Tiger Pataudi`s admirers in conveying my heartfelt sympathies with Sharmila Tagore and other members of the family," the prime minister said.

IANS

View the original article here

British press hails Pataudi

London: British press on Friday hailed late former cricket captain Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi not only as one of India`s most successful Test captains but also a leading batsmen, who managed to averaged 34 in Tests despite having lost his right eye in a car accident.

"The death of Pataudi has robbed cricket of one of its most popular and distinguished characters. Not only was Pataudi an inspirational captain of India, he was also a hugely talented strokeplayer who averaged 34 in Tests despite having lost his right eye in a car crash," the Daily Telegraph wrote.

The Times newspaper also praised Pataudi, who breathed his last yesterday after battling a lung infection for the past few weeks. He was 70.

"More than mere statistics, his importance was in instilling in his team the belief -- after years when it was regarded as one of the lesser Test countries -- that it could succeed," `The Times` wrote on Friday.

"He was adamant that India should play to its strengths, and in particular to make use of its unique talent in spin bowling. Playing three spinners, rare for any Test side, became the orthodoxy. Modest about his own ability, he saw his role as extracting the maximum for his best players by making them realise their true worth," the newspaper added.

Pataudi is survived by his wife, a son and two daughters.

PTI

View the original article here

ECB condoles demise of Nawab of Pataudi

London: ECB Chairman Giles Clarke on Friday paid tribute to the former Indian Test captain, Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, who died after a prolonged illness in New Delhi, saying the `Nawab` will be remembered as one of India`s greatest captains ever.

The ninth Nawab of Pataudi, who breathed his last yesterday, was educated in England and captained Oxford University and Sussex, besides playing for India in 46 Test matches between 1961 and 1975.

"The Nawab was a very talented batsman and fine cricketer who will be remembered as one of India`s greatest ever captains and he also made a significant contribution to the game as an administrator," Giles said.

"He will be much missed in cricketing circles both in this country and in India and we send our sympathies and condolences to his family," the chairman added.

The Nawab`s father -- the 8th Nawab, Iftikhar Ali Khan -- represented both England and India in Tests. And the family name lives on in the form of the Pataudi Trophy, which is currently held by England as winners of the recent Test series against India.

PTI

View the original article here

Thousands mourn as Tiger Pataudi laid to rest

New Delhi: Former Indian cricket captain Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, who died of a lung ailment in Delhi yesterday, was laid to rest at his ancestral palace here today with thousands thronging the burial site to pay their last respects leading to chaotic scenes.

Pataudi, who was 70 when he breathed his last at the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi, was buried next to the grave of his father, Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi -- the last ruling Nawab of Bhopal.

As distraught family members, bid final goodbye to the man who was fondly called 'Tiger', there was chaos at the Pataudi Palace's sprawling campus with close to 15,000 people converging at the burial site to catch a glimpse of the proceedings.

The huge police presence was hardly a deterrent as media and the gathered crowd jostled to be the closest to the grave even as the Pataudi family grieved in silence.

Pataudi's wife, yesteryears' Bollywood star Sharmila Tagore, looked calm and composed when she came on the palace balcony once along with other female family members.

Pataudi's son Saif Ali Khan, also a Bollywood actor, performed the last rites after offering Friday prayers. Saif's actress girlfriend Kareena Kapoor looked distraught along with Pataudi's daughters Soha and Saba, both of whom were inconsolable.

Kareena's elder sister and Bollywood actress Karisma also attended the funeral and was seen consoling Saif.

From the cricketing fraternity, former captain Kapil Dev and Ajay Jadeja came with the family from Delhi this morning when Pataudi's body was brought here.

Also present was former captain and coach Anshuman Gaekwad along with santoor maestro Amjad Ali Khan.

The funeral procession of Pataudi began from his home in Delhi with several celebrities paying their last respects.

The body of the former captain, who would forever be remembered for leading India to their maiden Test series triumph abroad, was brought to his Vasant Vihar residence early this morning.

Among those who came to pay their last respects in Delhi were Pakistan High Commissioner Shahid Malik with his wife and Punjab Cricket Association chief I S Bindra.

Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit, and BJP leader Arun Jaitley also paid their respects to Pataudi, who led India in 40 of the 46 Test matches he played.

Hundreds had gathered outside the Pataudi residence in Delhi also including numerous mediapersons, who even got into an argument with the policemen over the coverage.

Former Haryana Chief Minister O P Chautala also came to pay his respects but the procession had left for Pataudi by that time.

Pataudi, regarded as one of India's finest captains, scored 2793 runs in 46 Tests at an average of 35 and made six centuries, the biggest of which was an unbeaten 203 against England in Delhi in 1964.

Pataudi, who lost his right eye because of an accident, 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, who was also known for his amazing sense of humour, was the youngest Test captain, a record that stood until 2004. He also captained Sussex and Oxford University.

Under Pataudi's captaincy, India won nine Tests but it was he who instilled the belief in the team that it could win international matches.

PTI

View the original article here

Vishwanath credits Pataudi for his career

Bangalore: Stylish former Test batsman Gundappa R. Vishwanath Thursday credited Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi for his cricketing career during the late `60s and the `70s.

"It was a privilege and honour to have played under Pataudi those years. I was fortunate to be inspired and guided by him. I owe my cricketing career to him," Vishwanath said.

Recalling his long association with the former Test captain, Vishwanath said Tiger had an uncanny ability to spot talent and was instrumental in his selection to play against Australia in the 1969 home series.

"Though Tiger was from North and I was from South and played against each other in Ranji Trophy and Duleep Trophy tournaments many times, he insisted on my inclusion in the Test team to play against Australia," Vishwanath said.

Vishwanth struck a brilliant century on debut in second innings after getting out for a duck in the first innings in the Kanpur Test against Australia in the 1969 series.

"It`s all over for me. I can`t imagine that our Tiger is no more. It`s a saddest day in my life. It was because of him that I played for India much earlier than I would have otherwise. I learnt a lot from him. He was a rare captain and a great human being," an emotional Vishwanath recounted.

Reminiscing Tiger`s valuable tips to teammates and upcoming players, the right-hand batsman said Pataudi was a great inspiration and guiding force for a generation of cricketers in those days when Tests were the only form of the game.

"I was surprised that he had a special liking towards me though I was shy and reserved. He used to exhort me to be positive and play by instinct. I owe my debut century also to him as I was disheartened by getting out for zero in the first innings during the Kanpur Test," Vishwanath said.

Former offie Erapalli Prasanna, who played a number of Tests under Tiger`s captaincy, said he could not believe that Pataudi was no more.

"Pataudi was a friend, philosopher and guide to me. I met him for the first time in Hyderabad after I was selected to play for the President`s XI," he said.

Recounting his cricketing days when he played with Pataudi in a number of home and away series along with B.S. Chandrashekar, Bishen Singh Bedi and S. Venkataraman, who constituted the great Indian spin quartet during the sixties and seventies, Prasanna said Tiger had changed the complexion of Indian cricket.

"Indian cricket was fortunate to have a great player like Tiger who laid the foundation for the growth of the game and made it popular," Prasanna said.=

Incidentally, Prasanna met Tiger in London recently when the Nawab of Indian cricket gave away the Pataudi Trophy to England, which beat India 4-0 in the Test series.

Pataudi died in Delhi Thursday after battling a lung infection for about a month. He was 70.

IANS

View the original article here