Twenty20 cricket may be the flavour of modern cricketing times but Pataudi's son prefers the traditional form of the game
Twenty20 cricket may be the flavour of modern cricketing times but Pataudi's son prefers the traditional form of the game
His father was one of India's most fascinating captains, who led in 40 Test matches between 1962 and 1970. But, Saif Ali Khan chose to chart his own path and opted for a career in Bollywood.
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CRICKET crazy:u00a0 Saif Ali Khan
PIC/BOLLYWOOD HUNGAMA |
However, since cricket is in his blood (grandfather Iftikhar was a Test player too), the actor has, in his words, "an understanding, passion and respect for the game on a completely different level."
Says Saif, "Cricket in general is not just a sport to me. It was my father's profession. I reckon it is one of the most romantic sports in the world. My father played the game at the international level with one eye! Cricket is always discussed in my house from an insider's point of view."
Saif follows all forms of cricket including Tests, one-dayers and the latest obsessionu00a0T20 cricket. But unlike West Indies captain Chris Gayle, who said, "I wouldn't be so sad if Test cricket died out," Saif is a traditionalist at heart.
"I am a bit of a purist when it comes to cricket. Just recently, I was bowling to my son and he simply wanted to whack everything! I think this has something to do with the game which has become faster and entertaining.
Having said that, I don't think great cricketing shots should be sacrificed."
Despite the thrill, the actor believes the slam-bang brand of cricket will not be able to enjoy people's attention for too long. "I understand that T20 needs to be much more exciting and I like it very much. But I would hate to see Test cricket not being around. I personally don't think a T20 game can live in people's memory forever.
One will always remember Brain Lara single-handedly beating Australia in 1999. You will not remember any great moments from any one-day or a T20 game because it is very fast and instant.
"If Yuvraj Singh hit six sixes in six balls in a Test, he would never be forgotten and be engraved in the history books for eternity."
