New Delhi: Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, one of the greatest cricket captains India has produced, died here on Thursday after battling with a lung infection which was diagnosed about three months back.

He was 70.

"He passed away around 6.30 pm. His condition had deteriorated since yesterday. He was suffering from interstitial lung disease (interstitial pneumonitis) which worsens rapidly inspite of the best treatment available," Dr S P Byotra, Department of medicine in Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, where Pataudi was admitted, said.

Pataudi was admitted to the hospital last month. After investigations, he was found to be suffering from interstitial lung disease, a condition in which the passage of oxygen to the two lungs is less than normal.

"He was unable to maintain his oxygen level in spite of maximal treatment. He continued to remain in the ICU for nearly a month. He had this disease which had been static since the last three months and worsened very acutely over the last four weeks.

"The possibility of lung transplant was discussed very early as soon as his condition worsened but he was not a suitable candidate for it," the doctor said.

He was being treated by a by a team of pulmonologists and critical care specialists here.

Pataudi, regarded as one of the finest Indian captains, played 46 Tests for the country, scoring 2793 runs for an average of 34.91 with an unbeaten 203 being his highest score. In all, he smashed six centuries and 16 fifties in his career.

Career timeline:

December 13, 1961: Debut against England in Delhi, scores 13.

January 10, 1962: Maiden century in his third Test (113 vs England in Chennai).

March 23, 1962: Leads India in his fourth Test, in Barbados, and at 21 is Test cricket's youngest captain.

February 12-13, 1964: Makes career-best score, 203 not out against England in Delhi.

February-March 1968: Leads India to their first overseas Test in, in Dunedin. India go on to win an away series for the first time, beating New Zealand 3-1.

January 23, 1975: Final Test, scoring 9 in each innings against West Indies in Mumbai.

PTI