Saif Ali Khan recalls Geoffrey Boycott's remarks on his father Tiger Pataudi that infuriated him

Saif also talked about Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi's views on cricket.

Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi with son Saif Ali Khan

Former India captain Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi's son and Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan revealed ex-England batsman Geoffrey Boycott once couldn't believe his father was visually impaired.

The Nawab of Pataudi, who became India captain at the age of 21, leading the team in 40 Tests while he played 46 Tests overall. India's first series win abroad came under his captaincy against New Zealand in 1967.

Saif, in an interview with Sportskeeda, said Boycott's remarks for his father had angered him. “Boycott, who I really looked up to, made me really angry one day. He said, ‘I heard about your father, it’s not possible to play Test cricket with one eye.’ I asked him if he thinks my father is lying, to which he replied, ‘Yes! I think he’s making it up,” the actor said.

ALSO READ: Saif Ali Khan recalls when Tiger Pataudi refused to lead South Zone

“I told my father that, and he got really annoyed. He said, ‘Well, I was bloody good with two eyes. I’m just good with one.’ That was the only arrogant remark I ever heard him make.”

Talking about his father's carefree attitude, Saif said his father saw cricket as a sport and not more than that. “If he didn’t want to tour, he would say he wasn’t available. He said it was a game and he was losing interest in the game in the ’60s because he thought there was too much cricket,” he said.

Mansoor had met with a car accident on 1 July 1961. A shard of glass from the broken windscreen penetrated and permanently damaged his right eye. The other eye was saved by the surgeon but it was still feared he may not be able to play cricket again. But Pataudi didn't give up and learned to play with only one eye.

 
 

By Sihyeu Singh - 19 Jul, 2020

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