Pataudi's death 'terrible loss to cricketing world': Tendulkar

New Delhi: Indian cricket icons Sachin Tendulkar and Sunil Gavaskar today described the demise of former captain Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi as a “terrible loss to cricketing world” which would be hard to fill.

Tendulkar paid tribute to Pataudi, saying that world cricket will badly miss a hero like him.

“It’s a terrible loss to the cricketing world. I had the privilege of meeting him on a few occasions. World cricket will miss a hero like him. I really respected him,” Tendulkar said in his condolence message.

Gavaskar expressed shock at the demise of Pataudi, whom he called the most charismatic cricketer of his generation.

“This is very sad news indeed. Only a few weeks ago we saw him in England at the presentation of the Pataudi Trophy and he looked his usual self. Therefore to get this news is a shock,” Gavaskar said in a statement.

“Tiger Pataudi was the most charismatic cricketer of his generation. To bat with almost zero vision in one eye and still to score nearly 3000 runs and half a dozen centuries in Test cricket tells you what a genius he was. He will be terribly missed and it’s a huge loss to the game of cricket,” he said.

Another former captain Sourav Ganguly remembered Pataudi for his class and dignity.

“I am extremely saddened hearing the news about Pataudi passing away. My heartfelt condolence to his family and may his soul rest in peace,” he said.

“I had known him personally and even met him a few times. There was lot of class and dignity about the man. Due to an accident he lost one eye and was yet successful at the international level, just goes on to show how good a player he was. The most positive thing about him was that he was very honest and always had the good of Indian cricket at heart,” Ganguly added.

Pakistan’s cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan also expressed deep sorrow at the passing away of Pataudi.

“I am deeply sorry to hear about Masur Ali Khan. Tiger Pataudi was in Oxford and but for the loss of one eye, he would have been one of the all time greats of cricket,” said Imran, a former all-rounder and captain of Pakistan’s 1992 World Cup winning team.

PTI

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