New Delhi/ Mysore /Pataudi, Sep 23 (ANI): Friends and fans across the country of former Indian cricket captain Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi-popularly known as 'Tiger', shared their grief at his sudden demise and conveyed their condolences to his bereaved family.
Sending shockwaves among cricket buffs, the charismatic 70-year-old breathed his last here on Thursday evening, after losing a battle with lung infection.
As soon news of his demise spread, many of his associates and family friends gathered at his residence in New Delhi to pay their last respects.
Lauding Pataudi's stellar on-field skills, senior Congress leader and also a close friend of the ace cricketer, Mohsina Kidwai, said his death was a major loss for the nation.
"A very fine gentleman, who won accolades for his country as a sportsperson, has been taken from our midst. His demise is very unfortunate. It is a major loss for India. I convey my heartfelt sympathies with his family. May God grant them strength to cope with the loss," said Kidwai.
Former cricketer, Syed Mujtaba Hussein Kirmani, recounted his memories of the legend with nostalgia, by highlighting that Pataudi was indeed, one of a kind.
"It has been a big shock for the cricketing fraternity globally, I am sure. He was such a great gentleman cricketer and the youngest Indian captain to be crowned as the world-level captain at the same time, he was a genius for sure. The fielding standards were setup by this great all-rounder, in the form of his fielding. He had that charismatic look and the long hair which he had, when he used to be chasing the ball on the field, he looked like a tiger chasing. That is how, he got the title Tiger," SMH Kirmani told mediapersons in Mysore.
"You know, he was a man who would pick players, on sheer merit and consistency, who would excel. And those few players whom I am aware of are G R Vishwanath from Bangalore, Eknath Solkar from Mumbai, Abid Ali at the same time and many other cricketers who have been inducted into the international arena from India. So these are the great qualities of this gentleman and he was a very inspiring, motivating gentleman. I am sure he will leave a lot of legacy behind him. And at this juncture, I would like to pay my respects and condolences to his bereaved family," added Kirmani.
Pataudi, regarded as one of the finest Indian captains, played 46 Tests for the country, scoring 2,793 runs for an average of 34.91 with an unbeaten 203 being his highest score.
In all, he smashed six centuries and 16 fifties during his career.
Pataudi is survived by his wife celebrated actress Sharmila Tagore, son Saif Ali Khan and daughters Soha Ali Khan and Saba Ali Khan. (ANI)
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