Ajaz Ashraf’s remembrance of Tiger Pataudi was superb (Once There Was a Tiger, Oct 3). Pataudi represented an era when cricket was as much romance as sport. He and M.L. Jaisimha were probably the most glamorous cricketers ever to play for India. Tiger’s sense of style and panache were unbeatable, as was his performance on field. Nearly 3,000 Test runs at an average of 34.7 with just one eye speaks volumes about his talent.

G. Natrajan, Hyderabad

It is well worth mentioning that Pataudi sought to erase the stark regional identities which cricketers carried as so much baggage in those days by insisting that everyone should speak in English, and if they couldn’t, should try and speak Hindustani or Hindi. He came from a time when cricketers were indeed gentlemen.

K.S. Padmanabha, Secunderabad

Many talented cricketers who made their debut under Pataudi’s captaincy, and later flourished, owe much of their success to the astute advice and support they received from him. This is especially true of players from Karnataka. He had the knack of spotting talent. Gundappa Vishwanath could have been lost after scoring a duck in the first innings of his debut Test. Pataudi encouraged him and predicted that he’ll get a century in the second, which he did. The rest, as they say, is history.

Srikrishna Bhagwan, New York

The most fitting epitaph to the Nawab can be culled from the Bard: “The elements were so mixed in him that nature might stand up and say to all the world, ‘This was a man’!”

D.L. Narayan, Visakhapatnam

Back then there was no TV broadcasting, and the entire country would be glued to their radio sets to hear Test match commentary. I still recall that Vizzy (the Maharajkumar of Vizianagram) had christened Pataudi Tiger, after marvelling at his feline grace. Whenever Pat hit a four, Vizzy would say the Tiger had ‘roared’. In a match Tiger was out for four, but throughout the match one could hear Vizzy rave about the stylish shot that had fetched Pat the boundary.

Sripad Rao, Bangalore

In his autobiography, Tiger’s Tale, M.A.K. Pataudi narrates how he came to acquire the appellation ‘Tiger’. It was actually because as a child he used to crawl like a tiger cub. Quite prophetic! A great fielder at cover-point, he’d pounce on the ball like a tiger. One cannot forget how this legendary cricketer broke his middle finger while attempting to catch a powerful pull shot from Clive Lloyd in the second innings of the first Test at Bangalore in November 1974. He unified the Indian cricket team with his superb leadership at a time when cricket in this country hadn’t come fully of age.

M. Jameel Ahmed, Mysore

Apropos of Once There Was a Tiger (Oct 3), in 1971, Pataudi was afraid of the West Indies and England tours as he felt that after his disastrous 1-1 draw New Zealand series (India narrowly escaped defeat, the 3rd Test was rained out) and 3-1 defeat against Bill Lawry’s Australia in India, he had little chance of success abroad. So the nawab criticised the PM, which predictably led to his ouster. The plan was to return as captain after the two away series. But Pataudi’s gamble misfired. Luck favoured Ajit Wadekar in 1971 in West Indies and then in England.

Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi represented an era when cricket was as much romance as sport. He and M.L.Jaisimha were probably the most glamorous cricketers ever to play for India. Being a Nawab,  his sense of style and panache were unbeatable, as were his performances on the field. Nearly 3000 test runs at an average of 34.7 with just one eye, speaks volumes about his talent. In these days of crass commercialism in cricket, people like M.A.K.Pataudi are shining examples of old world charm, technique and passion. Rest in Peace, Nawab Sahib!

Lot of Talented cricketers who made debut and later flourished owe it to Tiger Pataudi. This is especially true when it comes to cricketers from Karnataka. He had the knack of seeing the talent in a player and providing uncompromising support. Gundappa Vishwanath would have been an unknown after his duck in the 1st innihgs of his debut test.It was Pataudi who encouraged him and predicted that he will get an hundred in the 2nd innings which turned out to be true. The rest as the say is history.

The best epitaph for our beloved Nawab is (to quote Shakespeare):

.......the elements (were) so mixed in him that nature might stand up and say to all the world, 'This was a man!'

This Tiger, too, was a large hearted gentleman.

R.I.P. Tiger!

Its thought provoking that tigresses outlive tigers around the world. 

R.I.P. Tiger!

Its thought provoking that tigresses outlive tigers around the world. 

This Tiger, too, was a large hearted gentleman.

The best epitaph for our beloved Nawab is (to quote Shakespeare):

.......the elements (were) so mixed in him that nature might stand up and say to all the world, 'This was a man!'

Lot of Talented cricketers who made debut and later flourished owe it to Tiger Pataudi. This is especially true when it comes to cricketers from Karnataka. He had the knack of seeing the talent in a player and providing uncompromising support. Gundappa Vishwanath would have been an unknown after his duck in the 1st innihgs of his debut test.It was Pataudi who encouraged him and predicted that he will get an hundred in the 2nd innings which turned out to be true. The rest as the say is history.

Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi represented an era when cricket was as much romance as sport. He and M.L.Jaisimha were probably the most glamorous cricketers ever to play for India. Being a Nawab,  his sense of style and panache were unbeatable, as were his performances on the field. Nearly 3000 test runs at an average of 34.7 with just one eye, speaks volumes about his talent. In these days of crass commercialism in cricket, people like M.A.K.Pataudi are shining examples of old world charm, technique and passion. Rest in Peace, Nawab Sahib!