New Delhi. Many players have made their mark on the cricket field but Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi was different. This Indian cricketer, famous as 'Tiger', needs no introduction. His name is counted among the best Test captains of India. He also achieved the distinction of being the youngest captain by captaining at the age of just 21 years and 77 days. However, this record was broken after many years.
'Tiger Pataudi' had a different kind of influence in the cricket world. Belonging to a royal family, this cricketer was as focused on the field as he was cheerful and jovial off the field. Mansoor Ali Khan was also known as Nawab Pataudi Junior. However, he lost one of his eyes in an accident. But he did not give up and even with one eye, he used to defeat dangerous bowlers.
He was born on 5 January 1941 and breathed his last on 22 September 2011. He was 70 years old then. Let's know the story of his strugglefilled life. Along with cricket, Pataudi is also famous for his love story. He married Sharmila Tagore. He first met Sharmila, a famous actress and former Censor Board chairperson, at her Kolkata home when Pataudi went there with a friend for an event and this is where their love story began.
Between 1961 and 1975, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi played 46 Test matches for India. In which he scored 2,793 runs with the help of 6 centuries and 16 halfcenturies. Pataudi was the captain of the team in 40 out of 46 matches. Under his captaincy, there were 9 wins, 19 losses and 12 draws. In 1968, under his captaincy, India won its first Test series on foreign soil against New Zealand.
Tiger holds the record for facing the most balls in a Test match while batting at number six in the history of Test cricket. He faced 554 balls while batting at number6.
Tiger was chosen Indian Cricketer of the Year in 1962 and Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1968. His autobiography 'Tiger Tale' was launched in 1969. In this way, Mansoor Ali Khan earned a lot of fame in the world of cricket by playing with one eye. Pataudi never played to make records, his only goal was to make the team win.
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– / Written By Top News Bulletin
Image Credit: KhasKhabar.