Saif Ali Khan’s father is considered to be India’s greatest Test captain ever. He was born on January 5, 1941 in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Mansoor Ali Khan was a right handed batter and right arm medium pacer. Often known as Tiger Pataudi he faced several obstacles in his career despite that he outshone all the struggles and became a successful cricketer.
The Finest Captain Of India
Mansoor Ali Khan, the Nawab of Pataudi, is said to be among the finest captains that India ever produced. Just when he took charge of the Indian team, at the tender age of 21, Mansur Ali Khan suffered a car accident which left his right eye’s vision badly damaged. However, Mansur Ali Khan captained India in 40 of the 46 Tests he played for the country, winning nine Tests. He revolutionized Indian cricket, freeing the nation from the shackles of defeatism and infusing confidence in his team mates that victory was possible. During his captaincy, India won their first Test abroad in 1967, defeating New Zealand.
Mansoor Ali Khan’s Test Career
In 46 Tests, he has scored 2793 runs this includes six centuries and 16 half centuries. He made his Test debut in 1961 against England but he just scored 13 runs. Despite this, his resilience and consistency over the years earned him a prominent place in the team, and he went on to establish a remarkable career in international cricket.
Mansoor Ali Khan’s Unconventional Approach
Pataudi’s approach was unconventional; he often relied on three spinners, a strategy that went against the norm but aligned with India’s strengths. As a batsman, he was innovative and fearless, frequently taking the aerial route—a rarity in his era. His career average of 34 doesn’t fully reflect his potential, leaving many to wonder what heights he might have reached with full vision.
Although he was the editor of a sports magazine for ten years, Pataudi kept away from cricket administration and remained largely out of the limelight of the media. His insights and opinions, however, were always respected in cricket circles until his death from a lung ailment in 2011.
