When MAK Pataudi took 'DNA' through the 60 years of Indian cricket

In probably his most exhaustive interview ever, published
by DNA on Independence Day in 2007, MAK Pataudi takes
us through the 60 years of Indian cricket. Excerpts:

Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi: A tiger to the end

Cricket world remembers Tiger Pataudi

In pix: Six of Tiger Pataudi's best

You were six when India got independence. Your father had played for England, then captained India in 1946. What was the sentiment at own home when freedom came?
When you are a six-year-old, you don’t remember much. We don’t remember the independence particularly as much as the partition taking place at the same time. My memories of independence are more to do with India’s partition. I remember standing on the roof of my house and seeing houses going up in flames, fire all around us. My father was trying to ensure the safety of our little area and trying to secure help for them.

Was there some kind of ‘one-upmanship’ following independence, one in which it was believed that the English have to be taught a thing or two at cricket?
We still suffer from the colonial hangover. And, so did some Englishmen also. Some of them (Englishmen) — specially the less educated ones — still continue to have a complex (that they had colonised us). But, the situation has changed tremendously. Now, we are an economic powerhouse. Indians in England have done well, some of them have even earned peerage and become Lords and they (the people of Indian origin) are now a part of the economic development of England.

Partition saw some of India’s finest cricketers stay back in or settle down in Pakistan. What were the prevailing thoughts then about this in the cricket establishment and society in general?
Everything was divided then, be it cricket, hockey and above everything else, the society. It was just so sad. India and Pakistan together would have made a great team. But, I wouldn’t lend much significance to it.

You were schooled in England through the 1950s. Did you track Indian cricket then, and what were your impressions? How did you react to Mankad’s performance at Lord’s in ’52, or the record first-wicket stand between him and Pankaj Roy in ’55? And the large sequence of drawn matches…
Vaguely. I was a 11-year-old at that time. In those days, schools were strict. There was no television for us and nothing to give you an idea at all. As far as the world record is concerned, it never appeared in any sort of my readings in school.

At 21 and some months, you became captain of India. In hindsight, do you think that Indian cricket was still in awe of the privileged class then in such matters?
In the ’60s, there were still a few royals with their own team like Baroda had. There was definitely a hangover but some of them had contributed to cricket. Maybe, people older than me can answer this question better!

What was your first impression of Indian cricket from such close quarters?
Chaotic and not organised as English cricket was at that time. It was a completely amateur set-up with no professionalism at all.

In your book, you mention that captaining India was a tough job because people in the dressing room did not even speak the same language. Was the team divided into cliques, and how did you manage the contradictions?
Well, what I meant was that we came from different culture, food habits etc… Some of them in the dressing room didn’t speak English; some knew either Marathi or Bengali etc. Communicating was…not that difficult. You don’t have to be a linguist to be a fine cricketer or captain. There have always been (cliques) and politics and it will continue to be there. Even if you go to our villages, politics consumes them most.

What was the culture of Indian cricket in the 1960s. How is it different now?
Money is an important part now. It’s an honour to represent the country, which is fine, but a lot of parents won’t allow their kids to play if there is no money at all. One has to make a living out of playing sports, which is important for the survival of both. We had people from different backgrounds playing cricket at that time, some with facilities and some with no access at all. Besides, I must tell you, to dispel the notion that cricket has always been an elitist sport. When we travelled, some of the hotels we lived in didn’t have even basic facilities that you couldn’t even imagine.

You lost the captaincy in 1970, and around the same time privy purses were withdrawn, princes became commoners. What are your thoughts now on those tumultuous days?
The two issues aren’t connected. But, it was very difficult times for many people and it took them many years to get used to. I was lucky as I was still young enough to adapt. The older generation suffered a lot. Time changes and you have to change according to the situation.

But the way it (withdrawing the privy purse) was done, was unfair. It came very suddenly. It would have been done in a better way.
There were thousands of princes who had contributed towards the independence. While, some princes out of thousands were trying to put a spoke in the independence, many of them had contributed to it.

That aspect of co-operation which doesn’t come in history books should be mentioned. If they (princes) were as bad as they were made out to be, then they wouldn’t be appointed chief ministers of so many states like Rajasthan, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh to cite a few examples.

This is more of an empty propaganda. People have elected so many former princes as their legislatures and into other prestigious democratic positions. There is no lack of respect for them amongst the people but it seems to suit certain people to bring them down to seek political space for themselves.

How far is it true that Vijay Merchant bore a grudge against the Pataudis because he was overlooked as captain in 1946 in favour of your father and used his casting vote against you?
I disagreed with his cricket thinking but I was very impressed with his social work, especially for the blind. I even joined him in this work. There was cricketing disagreement but no lack of respect.
Is it true that he once asked you to address him as ‘Sir’, and you retorted that, “Respect has to be earned, not demanded”?
Totally untrue.

Indian cricket, since the 1980s, has become the financial powerhouse of the sport.

But why have we not been able to deliver in terms of results, despite some extraordinary talent? Is it because of our temperament, talent, or incompetent administration?
A sport is only good as the administration.

Selfishness is one attribute that comes up when Indian cricketers are discussed. Is that because of the system, or otherwise?
No, no, I don’t agree that it’s about Indian cricketers only. Everywhere, cricketers have it but this is not the real issue. Ninety per cent of the times, self-interest and team interest don’t clash, it’s only for the remaining 10 per cent that you have to be organised to handle the situation. The clash doesn’t happen all that often. All great players from Bradman to Tendulkar are single-minded, sometimes leading to becoming self-absorbent.

Is the BCCI now become unwieldy, and therefore difficult to manage?
No more than it was before. There are still some 30-odd members who vote and they refuse to organise a professional setup.

Given your stature, why have you desisted from becoming an administrator?
I never felt like doing it. By and large, it’s difficult to find good sportspersons who have excelled in administration too. Though, I feel that ex-cricketers should be involved in running the game, especially in areas like team selection and technical issues like wickets, setting up the itinerary etc. Their angle (the cricketer’s perspective) must be tied up with the Board’s angle to have a balance between how much cricket there should be and how much money there is to be made. The idea should be not to kill the golden goose.

What do you think of politicians involved in administration? Or should it be left to former cricketers?
It depends solely on the person. If he is a good politician and he can delegate the duties properly, then, there will be good administration. I don’t think you can say that only one particular group of people are qualified to be good administrators.

Is there too much money in Indian cricket today? Has that led to a further defensiveness in mindset as everybody prefers status quo?
No. It’s a wonderful opportunity. The point is who is running these facilities. You can have as many world-class stadiums as you want but the issue is how is it being maintained?

In your opinion, what has been the most riveting moment in independent India?
Several. Actually, I think it was the 1983 World Cup victory. That was also because colour TV had just come into India after we hosted the Asian Games in 1982.

In the sweep of 60 years, which cricketer has made the most impact on you?
(Long pause). I’m not a believer in icons and demigods because eventually they tend to let you down. I have respected many cricketers but Sir Frank Worrell would be the man.