Top 6 underrated classics

#5 MAK Pataudi – 75 and 85 versus Australia, Melbourne, 1967-68

MAK Pataudi

Many who watched the regal Nawab of Pataudi bat were convinced that he could have gone on to become one of the finest ever if not for the cruel accident that led to the loss of an eye. Pataudi, who studied in England and played for Oxford, had to start his Test career in 1961 with the handicap. Soon enough, he was India captain against West Indies after the then captain Nari Contractor fell to a Charlie Griffith bouncer.

When India toured Australia in 1967-68, nobody expected anything but an Australian romp given India’s abysmal touring record. After a heavy defeat in the first Test, India were staring down the barrel at 25/5 after Pataudi made the choice to bat in challenging batting conditions. Pataudi, who had suffered a hamstring injury earlier in the game, attacked the bowling and made a top-class 75 out of a team total of 173.

While most batsmen struggled on the green pitch, Pataudi handled the high-quality bowling attack with ease and scored rapidly. Perhaps the most apt description was that it was “an innings played with one leg and one eye”. India conceded a huge lead and went down by an innings but not before the great Pataudi played yet another glorious knock of 85 in the second innings.

Given the circumstances, the state of the pitch, his injury, and the fact that he had lost an eye, Pataudi’s twin performances in this Test must surely count among the finest by an Indian batsman.