Emphasising the significance of Test
cricket when the slam-bang T20 format is
gaining huge popularity, former India
captain Sunil Gavaskar asked the game's
administrators to ensure that the longer
version of the game remains the "pinnacle"
of the sport. Delivering the inaugural MAK
Pataudi memorial lecture, instituted in the
memory of former charismatic Indian
captain who passed away in 2001,
Gavaskar reminded the cricket
administrators their duty to ensure the
survival of Test cricket.
"Test cricket is the pinnacle. That's the
format through which you will be
recognised. It's how you do at Test level.
Out of 10 Test playing nations, four or five
are major Test countries, who should
ensure that Test cricket remains pinnacle,"
said Gavaskar with ICC CEO Dave
Richardson in attendance. "It is Test
cricket which separates men from boys, I
would request all administrators to look
into it," the batting great said. None of the
members of Pataudi's family was present
on the occasion as his wife Sharmila
Tagore was indisposed.
The Indian and Australian cricket teams
also attended the lecture as Gavaskar
shared some interesting stories about
Pataudi and his charismatic character.
Gavaskar said Pataudi liberated the Indian
cricket by bringing the element of
aggression in the side, which would take
beating from any team hands down.
With his typical tongue-in-cheek style,
Gavaskar said a big incentive in his
playing days was the chance to date
glamorous women from tinsel town while
for today's cricketers it may be playing in
the IPL. The comment drew smiles on the
faces of both Indian and Australian young
cricketers, listening to Gavaskar.
Gavaskar said the credit for the
transformation in Indian cricket goes to
Pataudi. "He liberated the Indian cricket.
He changed the outlook. He charged up to
the spinners, lofting the bowlers over the
field. Only CK Naidu and Lala Amaranth
used to do it but after them it was
Pataudi. He made things happen rather
than wait for things to happen," Gavaskar
said.
Pataudi led the Indian team in decade of
1960s and it was under his leadership that
India recorded its first away Test series
win against New Zealand in 1968. "He
changed the entire mind set. Indian team
was run over by any team. He gave the
team the confidence that you can play
against any team and win," Gavaskar said.
Gavaskar also said it was a big quandary
as to how to address Pataudi. Whether to
call him Nawab Sahib, Tiger, Pataudi
sahib, captain or skipper and that he never
could know it. The former Test opener
remembered Pataudi as a prankster,
narrating how he once fooled his
teammates by orchestrating a hostage
drama.
Gavaskar said Pataudi asked his servants
to come in the garb of dacoits when he
took his teammates for a 'shikar' (hunt)
and enacted the hostage drama. He also
urged the Indian and Australian cricketers
to bring in 'fun' in the upcoming Test
series and also asked young cricketers to
celebrate feats with smiles on face rather
than throwing aggressive gestures. It
apparently had reference to the
celebration-style of Virat Kohli.
cricket when the slam-bang T20 format is
gaining huge popularity, former India
captain Sunil Gavaskar asked the game's
administrators to ensure that the longer
version of the game remains the "pinnacle"
of the sport. Delivering the inaugural MAK
Pataudi memorial lecture, instituted in the
memory of former charismatic Indian
captain who passed away in 2001,
Gavaskar reminded the cricket
administrators their duty to ensure the
survival of Test cricket.
"Test cricket is the pinnacle. That's the
format through which you will be
recognised. It's how you do at Test level.
Out of 10 Test playing nations, four or five
are major Test countries, who should
ensure that Test cricket remains pinnacle,"
said Gavaskar with ICC CEO Dave
Richardson in attendance. "It is Test
cricket which separates men from boys, I
would request all administrators to look
into it," the batting great said. None of the
members of Pataudi's family was present
on the occasion as his wife Sharmila
Tagore was indisposed.
The Indian and Australian cricket teams
also attended the lecture as Gavaskar
shared some interesting stories about
Pataudi and his charismatic character.
Gavaskar said Pataudi liberated the Indian
cricket by bringing the element of
aggression in the side, which would take
beating from any team hands down.
With his typical tongue-in-cheek style,
Gavaskar said a big incentive in his
playing days was the chance to date
glamorous women from tinsel town while
for today's cricketers it may be playing in
the IPL. The comment drew smiles on the
faces of both Indian and Australian young
cricketers, listening to Gavaskar.
Gavaskar said the credit for the
transformation in Indian cricket goes to
Pataudi. "He liberated the Indian cricket.
He changed the outlook. He charged up to
the spinners, lofting the bowlers over the
field. Only CK Naidu and Lala Amaranth
used to do it but after them it was
Pataudi. He made things happen rather
than wait for things to happen," Gavaskar
said.
Pataudi led the Indian team in decade of
1960s and it was under his leadership that
India recorded its first away Test series
win against New Zealand in 1968. "He
changed the entire mind set. Indian team
was run over by any team. He gave the
team the confidence that you can play
against any team and win," Gavaskar said.
Gavaskar also said it was a big quandary
as to how to address Pataudi. Whether to
call him Nawab Sahib, Tiger, Pataudi
sahib, captain or skipper and that he never
could know it. The former Test opener
remembered Pataudi as a prankster,
narrating how he once fooled his
teammates by orchestrating a hostage
drama.
Gavaskar said Pataudi asked his servants
to come in the garb of dacoits when he
took his teammates for a 'shikar' (hunt)
and enacted the hostage drama. He also
urged the Indian and Australian cricketers
to bring in 'fun' in the upcoming Test
series and also asked young cricketers to
celebrate feats with smiles on face rather
than throwing aggressive gestures. It
apparently had reference to the
celebration-style of Virat Kohli.
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