Farokh Engineer
Tiger was famous for his casual regard for sartorial elegance - although he was a very successful model for three-piece suits - and even less regard for personal cricketing equipment. He often used my bat while going out to start an innings or even resume one; in fact, he just took the bat nearest the door. It never ceased to amaze us, and must sound even more incredible in these days of sponsored equipment and its endless supply to the players. This was the reverse of a bad workman blaming his tools - a fine craftsman not needing to give credit to his tools.
The team looked up to Tiger not only because of his cricketing pedigree but because of the way he had overcome a serious handicap. Also, he was extremely fair, and led by example rather than by making speeches or thumping tables.
On one occasion, during the off day of a Test match, he had an idea. He made everyone wear a patch over one eye and catch a ball. It was impossible. Not one of us could take a single catch. It was incredible the way he emerged as not only the leading batsman of the side but its greatest fielder as well.
Vijay Merchant
‘His greatest performance was at Brabourne’
According to me, his greatest match has been against the Australians, at the Brabourne Stadium, in 1964. After hitting a splendid century in the first Test at Chennai, he scored 86 and 53 at the Brabourne Stadium at a time when runs were very badly wanted and the Australian attack of McKenzie, Connolly and company was right on top. In the first innings, India was 6 down for 188 and he helped us reach a score of 341. In the second innings, at a crucial period when we had lost 6 wickets for 122 runs, he helped us reach 224, before he was out to a glorious catch by Burge, when executing his famous square-cut. More than his performances in any other match, these two innings must have given him satisfaction, because in it India went to register a sensational two-wicket victory, mainly as a result of his contribution and under his captaincy.
Bishan Singh Bedi
'Let me see if the umpires are awake!'
In my first Duleep Trophy match against Central Zone, I had bowled the last over on the second day. On the third morning, Tiger asked me to start proceedings. When I told him I had bowled the last over the previous evening, his response was typically mischievous: 'Let me see if the umpires are awake!' I would have bowled that over had one of our seniors not alerted the umpires! Considering his royal upbringing, Tiger was an exceptional athlete. During a cricket camp under the purview of the Indian army, Tiger ran 100 metres in almost national record timing. To say that Tiger was the greatest outfielder of our times would be an understatement. He was simply brilliant and it helped the Indian cause no end as it marked the beginning of the end of hiding lousy movers in the slips.
Excerpts from the book Pataudi: Nawab of Cricket
