Pataudi was not merely a cricketer but a great personality off the pitch who had a charismatic aura that wooed millions

One of the finest cricketers in the history of Indian cricket, January 5 marks the birthday of the late Mohammad Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi. The Nawab of Pataudi would’ve turned 84 today, but unfortunately, he left for his heavenly abode fourteen years ago in 2011. However, Pataudi’s cricket exploits are still very much discussed in the circle of cricket, and so is his love story with actor Sharmila Tagore.

On Nawab saab’s what would’ve been his 84th birthday, we recall an incident from his love story, which is lesser-known but proves that he could do almost everything for the love of his life, Sharmila Tagore.

Tagore’s love for cricket

(Credit- TOI)

Despite hailing from an era when women weren’t too invested in sports, Tagore was a fan of cricket, courtesy of getting raised in a family full of sports fans in a city like Kolkata, where cricket and football were equally cherished. Therefore, Tagore had met Tiger Pataudi after he returned from England, but neither Tiger knew much about Sharmila’s movies, nor did Sharmila know much about the other’s movies, nor did they know much about each other’s cricket exploits.

The first meeting

(Credit- The Indian Express)

As per a TOI report, Sharmila Tagore and Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi met for the first time at an after-match party in Delhi. It wasn’t exactly love at first sight, but they had started liking each other, and their romance blossomed. However, during their courtship, when Tiger proposed to Tagore for marriage, the actor playfully added a challenge, stating that only if Tiger completes the challenge will she accept his proposal.

The challenge and Tiger’s reply

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(Credit- Storypick)

Sharmila Tagore had challenged Khan to hit three sixes in a row in the next game. Initially, Khan laughed it off, but in the next match he played, Tiger hit three sixes in a row and completed the challenge. Unfortunately, the exact details of the match cannot be verified, and the ball-by-ball sequence of Khan’s batting and score line cannot be verified.

Nonetheless, Sharmila Tagore accepted Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi’s proposal for marriage.

Proposal in Paris

(Credit- ABPlive)

After the challenge, the duo was in Paris on Bastille Day. During her conversation with Kapil Sabil, Tagore recounted the moment, stating, “We were in Paris, and it was Bastille Day when the entire city was on the roads to celebrate their independence. There, he went down on his knees, just like it happens in the movies, and asked me, ‘Will you marry me?’ I was like, ‘Kya bol rahe ho? Sunaai nahi de raha.’ There was so much noise. Then he said it loudly, and I said, ‘Yes yes I will,’” as quoted by TOI.

Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi and Sharmila Tagore got married on 27 December 1968, uniting two influential families of India while bringing a blend of cinema and cricket. They became one of the earliest power couples and had three children: Saif Ali Khan, Saba Ali Khan, and Soha Ali Khan.

On Tiger Pataudi’s birthday, we hope millions will draw inspiration from Tiger and Sharmila’s love story.