World cricket will miss a hero like Pataudi: Tendulkar

Indian cricket icons Sachin Tendulkar and Sunil Gavaskar described the demise of former captain Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, who passed away on Thursday evening after battling a lung infection, as a "terrible loss to the cricketing world" which will be hard to fill.

Tendulkar paid tribute to Pataudi, saying that world cricket will badly miss a hero like him.

- Indian cricket's visionary and charming captain

"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," said Tendulkar, in his condolence message.

- Pataudi's career timeline

Gavaskar expressed shock at the demise of Pataudi, who 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.

- Cricket fraternity mourns Pataudi's death

"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, another former India 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.