Page 28 - Seniorstoday July 2024 Issue
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Vijay Merchant and Vijay Hazare were the Mansur Ali Khan ‘Tiger’ Pataudi and
two outstanding Indian batsmen at the time Chandu Borde played together for almost
when India became independent. Though a decade, through the 1960s. For most of
they didn’t play many matches together for this period, Pataudi also captained India,
India, they were the pillars on which India’s with Borde, a few years older in age, as his
batting heft is structured. deputy.
Merchant was the epitome of technical Pataudi was made captain mid-way
virtuosity, and widely regarded as through the series against the West Indies
the founder of the Bombay School of when Nari Contractor was hit on the head
batsmanship which merits a thesis. The by a Charlie Griffith bouncer that almost
`khadoos’ mindset of Bombay cricketers killed him. He was only 22, and became
emerges from Merchant’s approach to the the youngest man (then) in cricket history
game: tough and uncompromising, putting to lead his country. Pataudi’s status as a
a premium on his wicket at all times. Vijay Nawab is believed to have been a strong
Manjrekar, Polly Umrigar, Dilip Sardesai, factor in him being chosen over senior
Sunil Gavaskar, Dilip Vengsarkar, Sachin players like Polly Umrigar, Chandu Borde
Tendulkar and Rohit Sharma are notable and Dilip Sardesai. But another school
names who carried Merchant’s legacy of thought argues that Pataudi’s choice
forward. was dictated by the need to stamp out
Unlike Merchant, who came from a parochialism, factionalism and favouritism
renowned business family which gave that had been growing alarmingly in Indian
him the luxury of even having a personal cricket.
coach in his formative years, Hazare, Pataudi became one of the most influential
who played for Baroda, came from a more figures in Indian cricket, and a heroic
egalitarian background. Mild-mannered figure in the history of sport. A car accident
and soft-spoken, Hazare was sublime in England when he was barely past 20
in his batting and lifestyle, but no less robbed him of 95 per cent of vision in
ambitious in chasing excellence. Hazare’s one eye. Such a serious handicap would
rivalry with Merchant in the Ranji Trophy logically make it impossible for anyone to
is part of cricket folklore. But Hazare’s play at the highest level. Pataudi not only
biggest renown comes from independent did that, but excelled to an astonishing
India’s first-ever Test series – against Don degree. His stats are not overwhelming:
Bradman’s Invincibles – in which he scored less than 3000 runs with six centuries. But
a century in each innings of the Test at till age, and more particularly, worsening
Adelaide. eyesight which impacted his reflexes, his
record was impressive.
The car accident stymied his development
into a batting goliath but Pataudi’s dashing,
aggressive approach, brilliant fielding and
radical captaincy put Indian cricket on the
road to ascendancy. He was a charismatic
personality and drew crowds wherever he
played.
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