Soha Ali Khan Visits Melbourne Cricket Ground, Remembers Dad Mansoor Ali Khan On His Birth Anniversary

The Nawab of Pataudi was one of India’s best captains. He became captain at just 21, leading in 40 out of 46 tests despite losing vision in one eye due to a car crash. Pataudi is remembered for leading India to their first away series win in tests and was honoured as Wisden Cricketer of the Year. His 75, scored on one leg with one eye, against Australia in Melbourne in 1967-68 as his finest innings. He retired from cricket in 1975 after West Indies’ tour of India.

Soha Ali Khan, accompanied by her actor-husband Kunal Kemmu and daughter Inaaya Naumi Kemmu, explored the Melbourne Cricket Ground, during their vacation down under. The official X (formerly Twitter) account of the Melbourne Cricket Ground shared a photo of the trio, highlighting Soha’s visit to the ‘hallowed turf’ where her father, cricketer Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, once played.

“A pleasure welcoming Soha Ali Khan and Kunal Kemmu to the ‘G. An actress and author in her own right, Soha is also the daughter of former Indian captain Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, and came to check out the hallowed turf where her father once played,” the caption read.

In 1968, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi played a test match on the same ground, where he scored 85 runs. Notably, January 5 also coincides with the 83rd birth anniversary of Tiger Pataudi, as he was affectionately known.

A post shared by Soha (@sakpataudi)

Taking to Instagram, Soha wrote, “It seemed only fitting to remember and celebrate Abba on his birthday today by visiting one of his favourite places to play – The Melbourne Cricket Ground. He scored many test hundreds but many consider his finest innings, as good as any century, to be the 75 at the MCG in 1967-68. India was 25 for 5 when he came in to bat and he needed a runner because of a pulled hamstring – he couldn’t play his usual front-foot shots and hooked his way up to India totalling 162… his 75 that day made it to No. 14 in Wisden Asia Cricket’s list of the top 25 Indian test innings – “An innings played with one leg and one eye”. Happy birthday Abba ❤️”