What is determination? It is the strength of the character to overcome any obstacle and achieve your goals. It is the ideology to have a belief in your team and turn defenders into fighters. Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi indeed was an exemplary model of determination. He overcame an impaired eye and scored a test match fifty with only one functioning eye. He also led the Indian team in an era in which it was known more as mere-defenders and converted them into a true fighter unit. Unfortunately, Tiger passed away of a prolonged illness, today at the age of 70. However, the Indian cricket would be forever indebted to him for infusing the must-win spirit that the Dada and Mahi have carried forward as leaders.
Pataudi played 46 Tests over a 14 years span and was arguably India’s greatest capt
ain. He was given the leadership in his fourth Test, when he was 21, in Barbados in 1962, because the regular captain Nari Contractor was in hospital after getting hit on the head by Charlie Griffith. Pataudi scored 2793 runs at an average of 35 and made six centuries, the biggest of which was an unbeaten 203 against England in Delhi in 1964. However, many rate his 75, scored on one leg with one eye, against Australia in Melbourne in 1967-68 as his finest. Pataudi was the youngest Test captain, a record that stood until 2004. He led India in 40 Tests and had a successful career. He also captained Sussex and Oxford University.
India won nine Tests under Pataudi and it was during his tenure that the team began to believe it could succeed. He advocated the multi-spinner strategy because he believed India needed to play to their strengths and used it to achieve their first overseas Test win, in Dunedin in 1968. India went on to record their first away series victory, beating New Zealand 3-1. Pataudi was the Wisden Cricketer of the Year that year. Pataudi broke the norms; he stood up to the selectors and demanded talented players from all over the country to be drafted in to the team rather than zonal selections. Small-town players like Chandu Borde got opportunities and excelled under his stewardship.
Pataudi’s nick-name Tiger came from his lightening speed while fielding in the point-cover region. He gave a new face to Indian cricket and emphasized on the role of quality fielding. As a leader, he was always attacking, aggressive, and never defensive at any stage. He always focused on trying to win the match and would go all out to win. In an age where in a draw was considered as good as a win, Tiger Pataudi encouraged his players to go flat out for victory. His batting was in the same mold as his leadership, as an aggressive batsman he excelled in crisis situations, and showed the nation how to combat adversity.
Tiger knew what the true strength of his unit was and he backed them to the hilt. He led Indian cricket out of its morass of defeatism and instilled in his fellow cricketers a belief that winning was possible. The famous fourth innings chase against Australia in Mumbai (his first win as a leader) was an example, where India was 6-122 and still chased 256 successfully with 2 wickets in hand, that too despite losing the captain at 224 (8th wicket). Chandu Borde reflected his captain’s belief out in the field as he stroked a crucial innings of 30* to see India home.
I have never actually seen you bat, Tiger, however heard and read a lot about you. Tiger, I thank you for bringing in the self-belief in the Indian unit. That confidence within our team has made it possible for me to witness two WC triumphs so far and hope to see many more. Your leadership and overall cricketing qualities are inspiring for any youngster to idealize. I pay heartfelt tribute to you, Tiger.
-Nikhil Sharad Jadhav
