RESPECT!! that is the first thing that comes to my head, when i hear the the name Mansoor Ali Khan 'Tiger' Pataudi.. One of India's finest captains, an enduring and yet so charming individual, passed away yesterday at Shri Ganga Ram hospital in New Delhi yesterday.. A sad day for the country, since, cricket is a religion, and Tiger was one of its God..!
At 21, MAK Pataudi was the youngest person to captain India, and under his unique leadership, India won its first series away from home..Out of the 46 tests he played overall, he captained India in 40.. Indian spin bowling became a strong weapon under his leadership.. The likes of Bishan Singh Bedi, S. Venkatragavan, were first introduced by Tiger.. The Indian team of that time, would be happy to salvage a draw, and would wish for the 5 days to pass..But with Tiger it was different. He taught the team to play for a win.. His charismatic approach rubbed off on the team, and that was the beginning of what would be a revolution in the coming times..
Nawab's carrier hit an early road block in the tour of West Indies.. A lethal West Indian pace battery launched a series of bouncers targeting his body. One such bouncer, hit him in the face and he lost complete vision in one eye.. Who would have known, at that time, a man with one eye would mark his comeback and rock the world and with such elegance and grace... He once said, after his return.. " I have only lost an eye, not my vision..." My god, i got goosebumps when i heard this.... He did something, that even God would be proud of.. What a great man, what an enchanting personality. what an ambassador of sport, and a what a great human being....
Even though, i haven't seen him play, or ever met him personally. i am just happy to have shared space in the world with him, in his era.. His story, is such an inspiration to the youth like myself.. A man, born in a royal family, a Nawab himself, gave up his family business, and followed his heart to his passion... And this burning ambition, made him one above the rest, and took him to heights, few people have seen.. having lost an eye, he still dint give up.. Guess, that is how he got the nick name 'Tiger'. A never say die attitude, and an endearing personality, made him retain his aura even after retirement..
His dashing looks and his aristocratic leneage, gave him a heartthrob status... His then love interest and eventually his wife, Sharmila Tagore, was the inception of 'Cricket weds Bollywood".. The much celebrated love gave birth to three children, Saif, Soha and Saba... And MAK's fans still believe, he is a bigger and brighter star than son Saif...
His sad demise came as a shocker, since he was seen in the recently concluded India England series, where he looked hail and hearty.. My condolences to the family, for he was indeed the Romance of Indian Cricket...... Nawab saab, you will be missed......... May you find peace....
At 21, MAK Pataudi was the youngest person to captain India, and under his unique leadership, India won its first series away from home..Out of the 46 tests he played overall, he captained India in 40.. Indian spin bowling became a strong weapon under his leadership.. The likes of Bishan Singh Bedi, S. Venkatragavan, were first introduced by Tiger.. The Indian team of that time, would be happy to salvage a draw, and would wish for the 5 days to pass..But with Tiger it was different. He taught the team to play for a win.. His charismatic approach rubbed off on the team, and that was the beginning of what would be a revolution in the coming times..Nawab's carrier hit an early road block in the tour of West Indies.. A lethal West Indian pace battery launched a series of bouncers targeting his body. One such bouncer, hit him in the face and he lost complete vision in one eye.. Who would have known, at that time, a man with one eye would mark his comeback and rock the world and with such elegance and grace... He once said, after his return.. " I have only lost an eye, not my vision..." My god, i got goosebumps when i heard this.... He did something, that even God would be proud of.. What a great man, what an enchanting personality. what an ambassador of sport, and a what a great human being....
Even though, i haven't seen him play, or ever met him personally. i am just happy to have shared space in the world with him, in his era.. His story, is such an inspiration to the youth like myself.. A man, born in a royal family, a Nawab himself, gave up his family business, and followed his heart to his passion... And this burning ambition, made him one above the rest, and took him to heights, few people have seen.. having lost an eye, he still dint give up.. Guess, that is how he got the nick name 'Tiger'. A never say die attitude, and an endearing personality, made him retain his aura even after retirement..
His dashing looks and his aristocratic leneage, gave him a heartthrob status... His then love interest and eventually his wife, Sharmila Tagore, was the inception of 'Cricket weds Bollywood".. The much celebrated love gave birth to three children, Saif, Soha and Saba... And MAK's fans still believe, he is a bigger and brighter star than son Saif...
RIP Tiger, Indian cricket shall miss you
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ReplyDeleteNot just Indian cricket, but his fans miss him too.
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