As a batsman , he was at his best piercing the off - side field .
While his dealings in off - field politics occasionally detracted from his on - field feats , many Indian fans remember him as one of their country 's finest batsmen .
As a batsman , he was at his best piercing the off - side field , and while his dealings in off - field politics occasionally detracted from his on - field feats , many Indian fans remember him as one of their country 's finest batsmen .