In the annals of cricket, few names shine as brightly as Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi. Born into royalty, Pataudi’s life was a tapestry of privilege, tragedy, and extraordinary talent. His journey from the princely state of Bhopal to the hallowed grounds of international cricket is a tale of resilience, skill, and unwavering determination. As we delve into the life of this cricketing maestro, we uncover the story of a man who transcended his royal lineage to etch his name in the annals of cricketing history, becoming a symbol of hope and courage for many.
This article aims to explore the multifaceted life of Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi. From his early years in the prestigious halls of Winchester College to the cricket fields where he showcased his prodigious talent, every chapter of his life is a testament to his indomitable spirit. His journey was not without its trials; a tragic accident that cost him his right eye could have ended his career, but Pataudi turned it into a defining chapter of his legacy, adapting and excelling against all odds.
Batting Career Stats of Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi
Format | M | Inn | NO | Runs | HS | Avg | BF | SR | 100 | 200 | 50 | 4s | 6s |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Test | 46 | 83 | 3 | 2793 | 203 | 34.91 | 1774 | 0.0 | 6 | 1 | 16 | 332 | 19 |
Bowling Career Stats
Format | M | Inn | B | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Econ | Avg | SR | 5W | 10W |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Test | 46 | 10 | 132 | 88 | 1 | 1/10 | 1/10 | 4.0 | 88.0 | 132.0 | 0 | 0 |
Career Information
Test debut vs England at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Dec 13, 1961
Last Test vs West Indies at Wankhede Stadium, Jan 23, 1975
Biography
Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, born into a distinguished family in Bhopal, was the son of the cricketer Iftikhar Ali Khan and the Nawab Begum of Bhopal, Sajida Sultan. His lineage traces back to the Pashtun Barech tribe of Kandahar, Afghanistan. He had a privileged upbringing, receiving his early education at Minto Circle in Aligarh, Welham Boys’ School in Dehradun, Lockers Park Prep School in Hertfordshire, and Winchester College. He furthered his studies at Balliol College, Oxford, where he read Arabic and French.
In a tragic turn of events, at the age of 20, Khan’s cricketing career faced a significant challenge. On July 1, 1961, he was involved in a car accident in Hove, which resulted in the loss of vision in his right eye due to a shard of glass. Despite this setback, he adapted his playing style and continued his cricketing career, learning to play with one eye.
Test Debut after Eye Injury - Career Way of Mansoor Khan Patatudi
Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, often referred to as Pataudi Jr. during his illustrious cricket career, was a right-handed batsman and a right-arm medium pace bowler. His journey as a cricket prodigy began at Winchester, where his exceptional batting skills shone brightly. In 1959, as the captain of his school team, he set a new record by scoring 1,068 runs in a single season, surpassing Douglas Jardine’s record from 1919. Additionally, he showcased his versatility by winning the public schools rackets championship alongside Christopher Snell.
His first-class cricket debut came at the young age of 16, playing for Sussex in August 1957. While studying at Oxford, he continued to play cricket and became the first Indian to captain a team there. However, in 1961, a severe car accident in Hove changed his life; he lost the sight in his right eye, but with remarkable resilience, he adapted to playing with one eye.
Amazingly, just six months after his injury, Pataudi made his Test debut against England in Delhi in December 1961. He found a unique way to cope with his impaired vision by playing with his cap pulled down over his damaged eye. His talent was undeniable, as evidenced by his 103 runs in the Third Test in Madras, contributing to India’s first series win against England. He was appointed vice-captain for the 1962 tour to the West Indies and became the captain of the Indian cricket team during this tour, setting a record as the world’s youngest Test captain at that time, a record he held until 2004.
Pataudi’s Test career spanned from 1961 to 1975, during which he played 46 matches for India, scoring 2,793 runs, including six centuries. He captained India in 40 of these matches, leading them to their first overseas Test match win against New Zealand in 1968. However, his time as captain was not without challenges, as he lost the captaincy in 1970 and was out of Tests from 1970 to 1972. He made a comeback in 1973 and continued to play until 1975.
Beyond his international career, Pataudi played for Sussex County Cricket Club and for Delhi and Hyderabad in Indian domestic cricket. His contributions to cricket were recognized with accolades like the Indian Cricket Cricketer of the Year in 1962 and the Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1968. He authored an autobiography, “Tiger’s Tale,” and later served as the manager of the Indian team and as a referee for two Ashes Tests in 1993. Pataudi also played a role in the Indian Premier League council and was honored posthumously when the Marylebone Cricket Club named the trophy for the India-England Test series after his father, the 8th Nawab of Pataudi.
Remarkably, Pataudi holds a unique record in Test cricket, facing the most balls in a single Test match while batting at the number six position.
Personal Life
Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi’s personal life was as eventful as his cricketing career. He was once in a committed relationship with Simi Garewal, a detail Simi herself confirmed in an email interview, as mentioned in Avijit Ghosh’s book, “40 Retakes: Bollywood Classics You May Have Missed.” Pataudi even visited her on the sets of the film ‘Teen Devian.’ However, this relationship ended when he met Sharmila Tagore, a renowned actress. The two got married on December 27, 1968.
Together, Mansoor and Sharmila had three children: Saif Ali Khan, born in 1970, who followed his mother’s footsteps into Bollywood; Saba Ali Khan, born in 1976, who became a jewellery designer; and Soha Ali Khan, born in 1978, who is both a Bollywood actress and a TV personality. The family extended into the Bollywood fraternity with Kareena Kapoor Khan as his daughter-in-law and Sara Ali Khan as his granddaughter. Actor Kunal Khemu is also part of the family as Mansoor’s son-in-law.
Tragically, Mansoor’s health declined later in his life. He was admitted to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Central Delhi on August 25, 2011, suffering from an acute lung infection as a result of chronic interstitial lung disease, which hindered proper oxygen exchange in his lungs. He passed away on September 22, 2011, due to respiratory failure. His final resting place is in Pataudi, in the Gurgaon district of Haryana.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the story of Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi is not merely one of cricketing prowess; it’s a saga of overcoming adversity, a narrative that resonates far beyond the boundaries of a cricket field. Pataudi’s life, marked by royal heritage, personal challenges, and professional triumphs, remains an enduring inspiration. His journey from a young cricketing sensation to a one-eyed maestro who captained the Indian cricket team with distinction, paints the picture of a man whose spirit was unbreakable.
Pataudi’s legacy extends beyond his cricketing statistics. He transformed Indian cricket with his leadership, instilling a belief in a team that often found itself under the shadows of more dominant cricketing nations. His personal life, filled with love, loss, and familial responsibilities, mirrored the complexities and richness of his public persona.
As we remember Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, we recall not just a cricketer but a visionary who changed the game’s landscape. His legacy continues to live on, not just in the records he set or the matches he won, but in the hearts of cricket enthusiasts and in the spirit of sportsmanship he embodied. Pataudi, a nobleman in cricket and in life, remains an undiminished beacon of inspiration and excellence in the world of cricket.