BCCI condoles Pataudi's demise

September 23, 2011 02:37 am | Updated November 17, 2021 10:54 am IST - Mumbai:

BCCI President N. Srinivasan, condoling the death of Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, said: “he was an exemplary individual, who guided Indian cricket to unprecedented heights, as batsman, fielder and captain.

“He revolutionised fielding standards in the Indian team, and across the country. In an age wherein a draw was considered as good as a win, Tiger Pataudi encouraged his players to go flat out for victory.

“He was an aggressive batsman who excelled in crisis situations, and showed the nation how to combat adversity. I join my colleagues in the BCCI in expressing condolences at his death. His services to Indian cricket will never be forgotten.”

E.A.S. Prasanna said, “it's painful news. Just a few weeks ago I saw him on television presenting the Pataudi Cup to England and now I hear this news.

Dream captain

“I can't comprehend it at the moment. He was a wonderful human being and a cricketer. He changed the complexion of Indian cricket. He was the one captain who understood the strength (spin) of the Indian side and nurtured it. He was a dream captain for a spinner.”

Abbas Ali Baig, said “I am shattered. We went back 50 years and were great friends. I have had a long association with him on the field and longer off it. He was an incredible player and captain. He revolutionised the bowling approach by banking on spin.

Wonderful company

“He was wonderful company. Every minute his one-liners would leave us in splits. He will be missed.”

V.V.S. Laxman felt Pataudi's legacy would continue even after his death.

“It's a sad moment for the cricket fraternity. It's shocking news to me as only a few days back I had met him in England. I have never interacted with him on cricketing techniques but he had great cricketing acumen,” Laxman said.

“His record speaks for itself. May his soul rest in peace. I am confident his legacy will continue,” he added.

Shivlal Yadav, former Test cricketer and now BCCI vice-president, said Pataudi was one of his childhood heroes. “I am yet to see a cricketer who is respected as much as Tiger was,” he added.

HCA president and former Test cricketer Arshad Ayub felt that it was Pataudi who changed the course of Indian cricketing history. He was the first Indian captain who made the world believe that Indians could win Test matches.

“A truly great cricketer, I feel he was the first and biggest icon of Indian cricket before the advent of Sachin Tendulkar,” Arshad commented.

Former Hyderabad Cricket Association secretary P.R. Man Singh said Pataudi was one of his true friends who never behaved like a ‘nawab.' “He was a wonderful human being, who never hesitated to crack practical jokes on anyone in the team.

Great sportsman

“A truly great sportsman. My deep condolences to the bereaved family members,” he said in a statement here.

“The players of my generation didn't get a chance to watch him play. But we all know from his contemporaries that he was a class act and what he brought to the game was something extraordinary.

“The way he mingled with budding cricketers is fresh in my memory,” said former India pace spearhead Javagal Srinath.

Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan said: “I am deeply sorry to hear about the demise of Mansur Ali Khan. Tiger Pataudi was in Oxford and but for the loss of one eye, he would have been one of the all-time greats.”

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