Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi passes away at 70

Legendary cricketer and former Indian captain, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, also known as “Tiger”, passed away last night at Ganga Ram Hospital in New Delhi.

Reports of Pataudi’s health problems cropped up earlier this month when the former cricket legend was admitted in a city hospital owing to lung infection.

The 70 year old was admitted to the hospital on August 29 and had been diagnosed with interstitial lung disease; a condition in which the passage of oxygen to the two lungs is less than normal. He was on very high level of oxygen support, requiring intermitted BIPAP (Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure) support.

Pataudi had been shifted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) where a team of doctors, including pulmonologists, were closely monitoring his condition.

Nicknamed Tiger for his sharp fielding skills, he played 46 Tests for the country, scoring 2793 runs for an average of 34.91 with an unbeaten 203 being his highest score. Regarded as one of the finest Indian captains, he scored six cenuries and 16 fifties in his career.