Brave Hearts

SR No.: 006999
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Kumarpal Desai
Publisher: Eye Care Foundation
Publication Year: 2009
Total Pages: 162
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 6 MB

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Courage Personified
real prowess during the visit of the West Indies team touring India then. Yet he showed his talent in the third test played on 27th December that year at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata. He scored 19 runs in a single over bowled by Van Holder which also included four fours. The contribution of Pataudi in snatching victories in the third test at Kolkata and the fourth test at Madras was very significant. He strongly believed that a test player must play the game continuously for 6-8 months in a year to keep himself fit. When he realised that he would not be able to spare so much time for the game, he decided to retire from cricket.
Mansuralikhan Pataudi is not only a cricketer, he knows how to play hockey too. He has earned a name in cycle polo also. He has been a good hunter and has shot about twelve tigers just with one eye. Being fond of music, he also plays tabla well. His cover drives in cricket would refresh ones memory of the great Walter Hemmond of England. His 'legglides' were also equally brilliant. It was a treat to see him hit the ball to the fence over the heads of the fielders.
So far in the history of cricket there has been none like him who played the game so well with just one eye. He played 46 tests in all, out of which he had captained the Indian side in 40 tests. He had also toured 5 countries namely Australia, England, the West Indies, New Zealand and East Africa. He had the distinction of scoring centuries in both innings of a match twice, once against the Yorkshire County match (1961) and then against the Services team in a Ranji Trophy match (1964-65). In the galaxy of 'Wisden's five best cricketers of the year, the name of Mansuralikhan Pataudi figured in the list for the year 1967. His father had also found a place on that list in 1932. In the history of Wisden, this is the only case where both father and son have been honoured in a like manner.
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