Even Calcutta, a city known for its unflagging loyalty to local star and former Indian captain, Saurav Ganguly, appeared to have forgotten him at the weekend game - there were posters of Khan in the stands, and the star's local fan club walked in carrying huge cut outs of their icon.
He was a gentleman of the first order, inspiring in his subordinates unflagging loyalty and deep affection and in his adversaries - foreign and domestic - genuine, if often grudging, respect.