Imran Khan
I am devastated, I had no idea he was in hospital … he was a contemporary of my cousin Javed Burki, and what I heard from my cousins, and from his contemporaries, was that had he not lost his eye apparently, he was a genius of great proportions. Anyone who knows batting, knows that it’s difficult to play with one eye, specially [to play] fast bowling. What he achieved with one eye, the sort of ability he had, what sort of a player he could have become… In Pakistan, to us he was also a cricketer who was a crowd puller.
Sunil Gavaskar
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.
Dilip Vengsarkar
It’s a sad news. He was a great player, fantastic captain and an outstanding fielder. He was a gutsy player and an innovative captain. He won many may matches for India. We are going to miss him.
Mohinder Amarnath
He was a great man and a fantastic ambassador of the country. He was very different from other cricketers who played in 60s and 70s. He brought a lot of aggression in the game. I played under his captaincy. He was a man of few words. He was always positive and often gambled on the field. He performed amazingly in Australia, he was a very good fielder as good as Jhonty Rhodes and rest. He brought a lot of confidence into the team and we learned a lot from him. He was an attacking player, he used to take the attack even on the most feared oppositions.
Rahul Dravid
It is a sad day for Indian cricket, he was an inspiration for us. I never had the chance of seeing him play but I always heard how big an impact he made on the game. I had the chance of interacting with him on various issues. He was extremely knowledgeable, he deeply cared about Indian team. It is such a loss not only for his family and friends but also for Indian cricket.
Bishen Singh Bedi
His faith in the spinners was absolute and we all prospered under his captaincy, he guided us so comfortably and serenely, the spin quartet had the highest regard for him… We won’t find the likes of him in a long, long time. His voice cannot be filled. A great, great chapter of Indian cricket has come to a close.
VVS Laxman
It’s a sad moment for cricket fraternity. It’s shocking news to me as only few days back I met him in England. I have never interacted with him on cricketing techniques but he had a great cricketing acumen and a very knowledgeable person, given the amount of experience. His record speaks for itself. May his soul rests in peace. I am confident his legacy will continue. He had a lot of passion for Indian cricket. His knowledge and acumen about cricket will definitely be missed.
Krishnamachari Srikkanth
It is a great loss for Indian cricket. He is one fellow, so stylish and aggressive. He achieved so much at the age of 21, he played an aggressive brand of cricket. He was very friendly and a fun loving person, he had very subtle and good sense of humour.
N Srinivasan (BCCI chief)
I am shocked to hear the news of Tiger Pataudi’s demise. He was an exemplary individual, who guided Indian cricket to unprecedented heights, as batsman, fielder and captain. He revolutionised fielding standards in the Indian team, and across the country.
N Srinivasan (BCCI chief)
I am shocked to hear the news of Tiger Pataudi’s demise. He was an exemplary individual, who guided Indian cricket to unprecedented heights, as batsman, fielder and captain. He revolutionised fielding standards in the Indian team, and across the country.
Nawab of cricket leaves greats grieved
