Brave Hearts

Author(s): Kumarpal Desai
Publisher: Eye Care Foundation

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The Brave Hearts
career while the Jr. Pataudi scored a century in his third test. However Pataudi required only half of the time as compared to the time his father had taken to do so. He could score the century within two and half hours with the help of 16 fours and 2 sixes. India registered a victory in the Madras test and also won the rubber* for the first time against England. Pataudi ensured a permanent place for himself in the Indian Team. The most surprising aspect of it was that he could do so within six months from the serious car accident in England !
Pataudi had lost the power from his right hand due to the accident. And yet he could regain his batting through his courage and determination. He started wearing his cap slightly turned to the right. Its shadow would cover his right eye and would thus prevent his seeing everything double. The serious injury he had sustained had not adversely affected his aggressive style of playing nor had it marred the charm of his game. Because of the damage to his right eye, he changed his position on the ground while fielding, from being close to the wickets and moved to the cover point. Very soon he mastered fielding at the cover point because of his agility, hard work, his most astonishing faculty to make accurate anticipations, quick movements and the stylish way he would stop the approaching ball and return it to the wicket-keeper with a flash. He soon turned out to be the best cover point fielder in the world. A man with only one eye, he made possible what otherwise appeared to be impossible. He achieved this by sheer hard work and continuous practice sessions.
In 1962, an important responsibility was placed on his shoulders. While the Indian team was on the tour of the West
In cricket the team which wins the series is said to have won the 'Rubber', although such a team is not given anything in reality. The term 'rubber' has been borrowed from the game of bridge, a game of cards
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