Jaisimha: An aristocrat who excelled in sports

We discussed this de-generation helplessly. We were both distressed and angry. But, Jai suggested to remain calm and he prevailed.

On June 25, I called on Tiger Pataudi, inviting him for Bishan Bedi Cricket Coaching Trust’s annual function. Tiger said he was not available as he was going to Hyderabad to attend a marriage, which was only an excuse to“meet a dying friend”.

I simply froze. The “friend” was none other than our own MLJ. I expressed the desire to talk to his wife Junie. Tiger advised me to wait for his return. And, when he did, Tiger was speechless. “There is no point in going to Hyderabad. He can’t recognise people. We can only pray for the end to come peacefully.” Tiger left for UK soon after with a personal satisfaction of having said a final goodbye to his best mate.

There are some of the best memories of an aristocratic sportsperson who excelled in cricket, but was no mug with tennis.

Jai was born not with a silver but a golden spoon in his mouth. For a youngster there were no personal or national worries. Jai’s induction into sports was a natural offshoot of his father’s affluence. They say Jai’s sire never wore the same suit twice. And the man himself was tall, dark and elegance personified. He lived his life to the full, almost too full.

Until the end, which despite his bringing up would have easily belonged to anaverage Indian. Jai died a pauper, as to speak. But, he was too proud a man to seek financial help — even from his own sons. However, what would and should have been his right — the CBFS honour in Sharjah — was not accorded to Jai, when many lesser mortals have literally prostrated from that purse.

Jai’s self-esteem was too high and far too long — a clear hallmark of a true upright gentleman. Jai, with all his faults, was never petty and with all his strength was game to defy conventional wisdom, which is often comfortingly and seductively easy. He was a master of the revolution which demanded focus and trust and perhaps, not implying a willingness to individualise.

In his book of life, there were no sweeping new theories, no fabricated formulae. Maybe, that is why the shade of self-discipline got eclipsed in the scheme of things in his personal life. Even so, he didn’t deserve a `charity’ of Rs 25,000 on his death bed from the president of the BCCI. Strange as it may seem, another Hyderabadi wasoffered full medical expenses, roughly 20,000 pound sterlings, for a shoulder operation in UK just about the same time. Well, that in a nutshell is the BCCI.

I have fond memories of Jai being sent an SOS from Australia in ’68. When he made the then selectors founders of the club in what became famous as a “bunch of jokers” lately. Until as early this year, Jai was coaching the Hyderabad Ranji team. Who knew death would be so near and so sudden ? We must accept that death has to keep up with it’s calendar. There have been many tributes paid to MLJ by the cricketing fraternity and he deserves every bit of it. I am touched by what Tiger Pataudi said and also the magnificent assessment by Hanumant Singh. Rest In Peace, good fella. We’ll catch someday, somewhere…