Find Out: The Cricketer Who Played For Both India And England

Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi, the cricketer who played for both India and England, best remembered as a Nawab and a gentleman cricketer, has a special place in the history of cricket.

He is the sole individual to have played Test matches for both India and England. Frequently incorrectly spelt as Iftikhar Ahmed in web searches, his memory is still deeply there in the pre-20th-century cricket.

Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi: Early Life and Education

Iftikhar Ali Khan was born into the royal family of Pataudi and schooled at Aitchison College in Lahore, and then at Balliol College, Oxford. His schooling in England honed his cricket skills and academic development, laying the foundation for his cricketing career.

England Debut: A Century at the SCG

Pataudi’s first Test appearance for England was during the 1932-33 Ashes series, which became infamously known for bodyline. His illustrious first Test appearance would come when he scored a magnificent century at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in his debut match, just like his heroes, Ranjitsinhji and Duleepsinhji.

Although this was a grand opening, he was axed after the second Test allegedly for his opposition to skipper Douglas Jardine’s Bodyline policy and came back to England ahead of schedule, cutting short his promising run with the team.

Final Appearance for England

Following his outstanding form in county cricket with Worcestershire in the 1933 and 1934 seasons, Pataudi received a reprieve. He turned out for his second and last time for England in the 1934 Ashes series at home, ending his stint with England on a note of defeat.

Transition to Indian Cricket and Captaincy

Subsequently, Pataudi moved to Indian cricket. Named captain of India in 1936, he was set to control team selection and strategy for the tour of England in the future. But in a matter of weeks before the tour, citing fitness issues, he relinquished the position.

Ten years on, in 1946, the now 36-year-old Iftikhar Ali Khan was once more appointed captain of the Indian side for their tour of England.

Past his best and with only a little competitive cricket under his belt in recent times, he still managed to score almost 1,000 runs on the tour, with centuries against Nottinghamshire and Sussex. However, his Test performance was disappointing, averaging only 11 runs per innings, and the series was lost 1-0 by India.

Last Years and Legacy of the cricketer who played for both India and England

Health problems caused Pataudi to retire from the sport shortly after the tour of 1946. Sadly, he died five years later in 1952 during a game of polo on the birthday of his son, Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, who would later become one of India’s all-time great captains.

Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi’s life as a cricketer is an enthralling story of royalty, grit, and uncommon distinction. The only player to have played Test cricket for India as well as England.

He is frequently sought online under other names, such as Iftikhar Ahmed, and his tale still mesmerizes cricket enthusiasts worldwide. His legacy was ensured by his son Mansur Ali Khan, who forged the Pataudi name in the history of international cricket.

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