New Delhi: Indian cricket icons Sachin Tendulkar and Sunil Gavaskar have described the demise of former captain Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi as a "terrible loss to cricketing world" which would be hard to fill.Sachin Tendulkar: The master blaster paid tribute to Pataudi, saying that world cricket will badly miss a hero like him.
"It's a terrible loss to the cricketing world. I had the privilege of meeting him on a few occasions. World cricket will miss a hero like him. I really respected him," Tendulkar said in his condolence message.
Sunil Gavaskar: The little master expressed shock at the demise of Pataudi, whom he called the most charismatic cricketer of his generation.
"This is very sad news indeed. Only a few weeks ago we saw him in England at the presentation of the Pataudi Trophy and he looked his usual self. Therefore to get this news is a shock," Gavaskar said in a statement.
Read: Pataudi's funeral at family burial ground near Gurgaon
"Tiger Pataudi was the most charismatic cricketer of his generation. To bat with almost zero vision in one eye and still to score nearly 3000 runs and half a dozen centuries in Test cricket tells you what a genius he was. He will be terribly missed and it's a huge loss to the game of cricket," he said.
Sourav Ganguly: Former Indian captain remembered Pataudi for his class and dignity.
"I am extremely saddened hearing the news about Pataudi passing away. My heartfelt condolence to his family and may his soul rest in peace," he said.
Read: Twitter flooded with condolence messages for Tiger Pataudi minutes after his death
Other present and former cricketers have also paid rich tributes to Pataudi, who passed away in New Delhi on Thursday after battling a lung infection.
Abbas Ali Baig: It is a terrible moment indeed. His health was deteriorating and eventually he had to give away. He was suffering but he wasn't really sure about the extent of his suffering. He had the talent not only to play for the country but also to lead it to perfection.
Erapalli Prasanna: What we are today in the spin department is because of Pataudi. He had the vision what we could do really on spin bowling to win matches. It is the greatest loss for Indian cricket.
Mohinder Amarnath: I played my first Test under him. He was a great cricketer and a real person to look up to. He used to show a lot of aggression on the field. He showed great fielding skills at a time when we did not have good fielders. He was man of a few word but whatever he said was encouraging.
Anil Kumble: When we got together for the formation of the Players Association, he readily agreed to become the president. He was the most gentle person I met. He made us feel as Indian cricketers were held in high esteem. Gundappa Vishwanath had great stories to tell about Pataudi. It is a sad moment not only for Indian cricket but also for the entire country.
Rahul Dravid: He is an absolute legend of the game. We never saw him playing but heard so many stories about him from the likes of Prasanna, (Gundappa) Vishwanath and (Bhagwath) Chandrashekhar. He was an inspirational cricketer and that is a fantastic legacy to leave behind. He made the game popular with his personality and leadership skills. He gave a pan-Indian flavour to the game. During 2002, he helped us a lot during the sponsorship issue with the ICC. It was really encouraging to listen to him.
Imran Khan (former Pakistan captain): He was the contemporary of my elder cousin (Javed Burki) and a very popular cricketer in Pakistan. He was a crowd puller. The way he played with one eye was amazing. Imagine, what he could have done with proper vision.
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Sanjay Manjrekar: As long as the game is alive he will be remembered. His personality was like Imran Khan. He could mingle with anyone.
Krishnamachari Srikkanth: It is quite shocking. He was one of the most determined and a stylish cricketers. He was one guy who hit the ball really hard. During the 2003 World Cup, I had lots of opportunities to spend time with him in the commentary box. During review meetings in the BCCI, he never imposed anything on anyone. He was a symbol of aggression and style. His fielding was amazing.
Read: PM Manmohan Singh condoles Pataudi's death
Nari Contractor: Nari had captained Tiger Pataudi in his debut Test and whose head injury propelled Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi to the hot seat of Indian cricket skipper, described him as a "true leader" and a "great batsman".
The 77-year-old felt Pataudi's outstanding fielding ability has seldom been matched in Indian cricket.
It was under Contractor that Pataudi made his Test debut in Delhi in December 1961 against England. He scored 13 in his maiden knock.
"He was the youngest member of the side, elegant, fun loving," Contractor recalled.
"He was a talented batsmen, capable of making swashbuckling strokes. And as a fielder, I think if you had pitted him against any member of the present Indian team, he would have been a shade better," he said.
The two were involved in a 104-run third wicket stand in Chennai in the final Test where Pataudi scored his maiden Test ton.
