In the annals of cricket history, few figures embody the fusion of aristocratic heritage and sporting excellence as vividly as Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi. Born into the distinguished lineage of the Nawabs of Pataudi, near Delhi, his life was a tapestry of royal responsibilities and cricketing conquests. This article delves into the fascinating life of the 8th Nawab of Pataudi, exploring his early life, notable cricket career, and personal journey. A man who not only graced the cricket fields with elegance but also carried the weight of his noble legacy with aplomb, Iftikhar Ali Khan’s story is one of triumph, controversy, and enduring legacy in the rich tapestry of Indian cricket history.
Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi Batting Career Statistic
Format | M | Inn | NO | Runs | HS | Avg | BF | SR | 100 | 200 | 50 | 4s | 6s |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Test | 6 | 10 | 0 | 199 | 102 | 19.9 | 607 | 32.78 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
Career Information
Test debut vs Australia at Sydney Cricket Ground, Dec 02, 1932
Last Test vs England at Kennington Oval, Aug 17, 1946
Biography
Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi, an illustrious figure in cricket history, had a life marked by noble lineage and cricketing prowess. Born into the Nawab family of Pataudi, near Delhi in present-day Haryana, India, on March 16, 1910, he was the elder son of Nawab Muhammad Ibrahim Ali Khan of Pataudi and Shahar Bano Begum. His family lineage traced back to Faiz Talab Khan, an ethnic Pashtun from the Barech tribe of Kandahar, Afghanistan, who became the first Nawab of the Pataudi State in 1804. This heritage connected him to notable figures like Urdu poet Mirza Ghalib and Pakistan Prime Minister Liaqat Ali Khan. Iftikhar became the Nawab upon his father’s death in 1917 and was formally installed as ruler in December 1931. His state became part of independent India in 1948, and he served in the Indian Foreign Office until his death.
Pataudi’s early education was at Chiefs’ College (later renamed Aitchison College), Lahore, and then at Balliol College, Oxford. He married Begum Sajida Sultan, the second daughter of the last ruling Nawab of Bhopal, in 1939. His cricketing journey began at the university level with Oxford University in 1928, where he was coached by M. G. Slater in India and later by Frank Woolley in England. He had a remarkable season in 1931, scoring 1,307 runs for Oxford with an average of 93, topping the Oxford averages. In the University Match that year, he broke a record by scoring 238*, a record that stood until 2005. Despite his success at Oxford, his initial county cricket experience with Worcestershire in 1932 was less stellar, scoring only 65 runs in six innings.
Cricket Career of Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi
Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi’s cricket career was as distinguished as it was unique. After being coached in India by Oxford cricketer M. G. Slater and then in England by Frank Woolley, Pataudi joined Oxford University in 1927. His cricketing prowess was evident when he saved a match against Cambridge with scores of 106 and 84, earning his blue. His 1931 season was extraordinary, scoring 1,307 runs with an average of 93. He made headlines by scoring an unbeaten 238 against Cambridge, breaking a record which stood until 2005.
His innings of 165 for the Gentlemen at Lord’s in 1932, marked by exceptional footwork against Tich Freeman, earned him a place in England’s Ashes tour that winter. Making his Test debut for England in Sydney during the 1932-33 Ashes series, Pataudi scored a century (102), following in the footsteps of Ranjitsinhji. However, he faced controversy over his refusal to participate in Douglas Jardine’s bodyline tactics, leading to his exclusion from the remainder of the series.
1933 was Pataudi’s only full season of county cricket, where he scored 1,749 runs at an average of 49, including two double-hundreds. His health issues in 1934 limited his participation, but he still managed a batting average of 91.33. His final Test for England was in June 1934 against Australia, where he scored 12 and 10.
Pataudi was considered as a captain for India’s first Test match in 1932 and was appointed captain for the 1936 tour of England, but he withdrew citing health reasons. He finally played for India as captain during the 1946 tour of England. Despite averaging 46.71 on the tour, he scored only 55 runs in 5 Test innings, and his captaincy received mixed reviews. He was named Indian Cricketer of the Year in 1946/47 and planned a return to Worcestershire for the 1952 season but passed away before he could do so.
Personal Life
Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi’s personal life was as distinguished as his cricketing career. Born into the prestigious Nawabs of Pataudi family, he was the elder son of Nawab Muhammad Ibrahim Ali Khan and Shahar Bano Begum, the daughter of the Nawab of Loharu. His family’s roots can be traced back to the ethnic Pashtun from the Barech tribe of Kandahar, Afghanistan. Pataudi became Nawab on his father’s death in 1917 and was formally installed as ruler in December 1931. His state became part of the newly independent India in 1948, and he served in the Indian Foreign Office until his death.
Educated at Chiefs’ College (later renamed Aitchison College), Lahore, and Balliol College, Oxford, Pataudi married Begum Sajida Sultan, the second daughter of the last ruling Nawab of Bhopal, in 1939. His marriage to Sajida Sultan was significant, linking him to another prominent royal lineage.
Pataudi and Sajida Sultan had three children: Mansoor Ali Khan and three daughters, Saleha Sultan, Sabeeha Sultan, and Qudsia Sultan. Their eldest son, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, followed in his father’s cricketing footsteps, becoming a legendary cricketer and leading the Indian cricket team with distinction. A rare family picture revealed the close bond within the family, showing Iftikhar with his wife and children, highlighting the resemblance between Iftikhar and his son Mansoor.
Tragically, Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi passed away on January 5, 1952, while celebrating his son Mansoor’s 11th birthday. He suffered a major heart attack while playing polo in Delhi. His sudden demise was a shock to the nation and a significant loss to the Pataudi family. Following his father’s death, Mansoor Ali Khan took up his legacy, both as Nawab and in the cricketing world.
Conclusion
Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi’s life story transcends the boundaries of a mere sporting biography. As we reflect on his journey, we see a man who navigated the intricate corridors of royalty, diplomacy, and cricket with equal finesse. His profound impact on the cricketing world, coupled with his role as a Nawab and a diplomat, represents a multifaceted legacy that continues to inspire. Pataudi was not just a cricketer or a nobleman; he was a symbol of grace and resilience, straddling different worlds with ease and leaving an indelible mark on each.
The story of Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi is not just about the runs scored or the matches won; it’s about the enduring spirit of a man who played a pivotal role in shaping the narrative of Indian cricket. His legacy, passed down to his son Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, and further to his grandson, Saif Ali Khan, in different fields, underscores the timelessness of his influence. The name Pataudi remains synonymous with dignity, talent, and a deep connection to the ethos of Indian cricket, ensuring that the Nawab’s innings, though ended on the field, continues to inspire generations beyond the cricketing realm.