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Thursday, 22 September 2011

Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi breathes his last at 70

Former Indian Captain Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi has passed away this evening, aged 70. He was admitted to a Delhi hospital in August with severe lung infection where his condition gradually deteriorated.


A perfect gentleman and the epitome of integrity, he is largely credited with turning the Indian cricket team from the usual pushovers into something of reckoning. I won't say too many things because his playing days were over far before I was born. But my dad, who witnessed him captain India in 40 tests holds him in the greatest esteem.


Well, everybody has to die sometime. But what disappoints me the most is his demise after India's 4-0 loss to England while contesting for the Pataudi trophy. Add to that, the British faux pas of inviting Pataudi to the podium at the presentation but instead handing Strauss the sponsor's Npower trophy, ostensibly as an oversight. Surely, the man deserved better.


R.I.P

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