Cricket was, then, a Gentleman's Game...................and with MAK's passing away a landmark has vanished in the horizon.............Thank you MAK for your contribution to this great game!.
MAK and his father Pataudi Sr. were the Royalty of Cricket. And Cricket was truly blessed because of MAK. He was grace and dignity personified. When he led the team to the field, it felt like Royalty leading and the rest just followed in dignity. Even the crowd of 50,000 just watching MAK on the field, felt privileged to see a Prince in action. He was the ultimate Captain. The 1974-75 India-West Indies series was one the Best, with India led by MAK and West Indies by Clive Lloyd
The era of T20 - a pedestrian form of cricket with which we have to live, will never ever produce greats; and will never ever know 'Class' and 'Dignity'. Cricket has become a crassy game of the new rich and an entertainment with no class.
MAK personified Class, Grace and Passion for the game like no one else. And sadly there will never be another like him. We will miss you, Sir, and thank you for all that you have done for the game.
We baby boomers are singularly bleesed. We have straddled several generations of watching cricket(and other sports)and are in a happy position to make comparisons. If Pataudi had not had diminished vision in one eye after his accident, he would have surely become one of the best batsmen in the world-where the likes of Sobers,Kanhai,Clive Lloyd,Ted Dexter,Ian Chappell etc reigned. Still,with his handicap,he had a very impressive career.His batting was adventurous and thrilling as he lofted pace and spin with uncanny precision to untenanted parts of the field. But what was really outstanding about him was his fielding!He must rank as the best outfielder India has ever produced. He prowled like a tiger in the covers, anticipating and cutting off strokes which most others would have allowed to go to the boundary.Pataudi once said that he had to close one eye when sighting the ball because of double vision. Just imagine how difficult it is to gauge height & distance with one eye. His regal ways and flamboyance had girls swooning over him. A sporty red Jaguar helped elevate his image further! If he had been allowed a free hand at Board level, he would have instilled discipline, professionalism and pride in the Indian cricket team! A great loss for India!
we are based in Paris...............we just got the sad news. My heart reaches out to the family. it is so difficult to accept this news. A real lion. We have lost a good soul. May god give strength to his family to accept this loss.
One of the greatest cricketer of my period.I never missed any match played by him at chennai, be it a test or ranji or duleep trophy.Most stylish batter,an extra ordinary cover fielder,and a knowledgable captain and above all a charming personality.Today i feel a personal loss and it is indeed a sad day in my life.MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE.
Although he was a controversial captain, as I personally know him, he was a very good sportsman. Offthe field he was very kind to his co-players but he was very strict on the field. He was the youngest Indian captain appointed by the BOard at the age of 21 years. This was the bone of contention for the senior players they were overpassed by a young boy who had just passed his university from England and was made captain in 1962. The main sufferer was Chandu Borde who was quite senior and d3eserved to be the captain. This was the reason that though Poly Umrigar the then senior most player retired from Cricket although his last innigs played was against West Indies and he made 172 not out against the powerful pace battery of Wesley Hall et.al. and he made it open about his contention and reason of his retirement. But this was not the fault of Pataudi who was made the scapegoat of the Board. Leaving this besides, he has made a good contribution to Cricket during his life time firstly as a Captain and then after retirement as Sports editor and also the advisor to the younger generation. I wih his soul rest in life.
