It has been tough on Sachin & his family

Indian team members found out during Sachin Tendulkar's debut tour of Pakistan that he was a somnambulist. He would sleepwalk in the middle of the night. Twenty three years on, just days before retiring from ODIs, he was still waking up late in the night, at times even at 2 am. But he was wide awake, shadow practising! Such is his obsession with cricket.

So, what prompted this tough decision to quit ODIs?

Only those very close to him could gather the strength to even suggest to Tendulkar that perhaps it was time for him to shoulder arms to the shorter format of the game which he has been breathing since the day he took to the field at Shivaji Park as a 11-year-old.

"It's been tough on him and his immediate family. The call, though, has been his own and the timing too. You can take Tendulkar out of the game but not cricket out of him. The routine is still the same, the shadow practice at 2 in the morning is still happening, but for those savouring limited overs cricket, the greatest pleasure of seeing this man walk out and tear apart oppositions won't be there now. Let's respect his decision and relive the great moments that he's given us," said a former teammate and a close confidant of Tendulkar, requesting anonymity as a mark of respect to the batting great's decision.

Just like the preparation mode - ahead of a match - was unique to Tendulkar, he seemed to have readied himself for giving up limited overs cricket in his own way. Even though his mind was still pushing him to test his boundaries, his body may have told him to save himself for Tests - maybe just a few more if not six that he needs to complete a tally of 200 matches.

For a man who was challenged by career-threatening tennis elbow in 2007, the rebirth - after a painful 'sick' leave from the game of six months - has only seen him set one milestone after another.

Having spent close to two months struggling to lift a cup of tea to playing a stroke with the bat, Tendulkar showed how dedication and daily practice could get you back to life.

Months later, the man was back at his favourite Sydney Cricket Ground in 2008, smashing a lethal Brett Lee to all corners for a magnificent unbeaten 117 in the first final of the tri-series. He followed it up with a 91 in the 2nd final as India achieved their first-ever tri-series triumph Down Under.

Then came the World Cup of 2003, when the scars of the 1996 semifinal at the Eden Gardens returned to haunt him. Later, injured fingers (thanks to the IPL) held him back from wielding those heavy bats in quest of glory in his fifth World Cup. But Tendulkar was ready, having used the time in the run-up to the mega event by setting up a mini-gym at home or spending more time in the pool. The foodie had also turned to boiled chicken and soup to be in shape in pursuit of his 'dream', which became a reality.

Sacrifices have been a part of Tendulkar's life. This time he's chosen to give up ODIs for Tests. Those who think that's he's done and dusted, may do well to wait till March - when is likely to be back to play against Australia in Tests at home. The old brilliance may just be back, that one last time.

From ball boy to champ: Little Kid Of 1987 Set For Big Tie In 2011 On Home Turf by Nitin Naik | TNN

1st April 2011, Mumbai: “Who writes your scripts,” former England opener and captain Graham Gooch asked his legendary teammate and all-rounder, Ian Botham after the latter dismissed Kiwi opener Bruce Edgar off the first ball he bowled at The Oval in 1986. Botham was playing his first Test following a year’s ban for using marijuana. Edgar’s scalp earned Botham his 355th Test wicket and put him on par with Aussie great Dennis Lillee’s record tally of 355 wickets. Hence the inquiry from Gooch.

Some of the current Indian team members can ask Sachin Tendulkar the same question. Like Botham, who always loved a stage, the Indian legend too enjoys putting on a show when the entire world trains its eyes on him. And they will be on Tendulkar when India take on Sri Lanka in the World Cup final at the Wankhede Stadium, in the Master's hometown, Mumbai, on Saturday.

Many feel it's a travesty that Tendulkar’s massive talent and impeccable conduct off the field haven't yet culminated in him being in a world champion side. What better way and stage or venue for him to win cricket's ultimate prize than in front of his numerous and passionate fans, and in the process, bring up a century of international centuries.

If it happens, Tendulkar will complete a full circle as he was a ball boy when India played against England at this very venue in the semifinal of the 1987 World Cup. He must have picked up numerous balls from the boundary line as England opener Graham Gooch simply swept the hosts and tournament favourites out of the contest. Watching India crash out of the semis, albeit from the sidelines, must have been heartbreaking for the then 14-year-old, like it was for the rest of the country.

Eight years later, he suffered the heartbreak of seeing India crash out of the semis again as they lost to Sri Lanka by default in Kolkata. This after he scored a fine 65 off 88 balls on a turning pitch at the Eden Gardens and, in fact, it was his wicket that started the Indian slide. This time though Tendulkar didn’t watch from the sidelines.

India have busted the semis hoodoo while playing on home soil in the 2011 edition. If a Tendulkar ton can help MS Dhoni hold aloft the World Cup, the journey from a ball boy to a World Champion will have been a fruitful and emotional one.Now to the million dollar question: Who writes Tendulkar’s scripts? Want a clue? Here it is: He opens in ODIs and bats at No. 4 in Tests.

METAMORPHOSIS: (Right) Sachin Tendulkar at his early age. (Right) Tendulkar with the man-of-the-match trophy in Mohali on Wednesday

SACHINCREDIBLE! - 50TH TON FOR MY DAD

Centurion: The mind went back to the 1999 World Cup in England.Sachin Tendulkar had to rush back to India after losing his father midway through the event.Tendulkar stayed in Mumbai for two days,then returned to England to do duty for the country and promptly score a century,against Kenya.Upon reaching three figures,Tendulkar looked heavenwards,stood still for a moment before acknowledging the cheers from the fans.He later said that he was looking upwards,hoping his father would have seen him do well and would be proud of his son.

On Sunday,as India celebrated his 50th Test century,Tendulkar again remembered his father.Yesterday (Saturday) was my fathers birthday.I dedicate this century to him.The first thing I thought of after reaching the hundred was my father.

Tendulkar,who thanked his fans for their fabulous support over the years.said he was happy that the landmark is done with.Was he under any pressure because of the huge expectation You guys only created it, Tendulkar said pointing at the media,at the post-match PC.You built the foundation on which I constructed my innings today.

Tendulkar was not sure how he should react when asked about his feelings.Cant say how Im feeling.Im happy... Cant really express how Im feeling.

But when a local journalist asked him if records meant a lot to him,Tendulkar reacted sharply.I play for the love of the game.I have often requested for time out from cricket so that I can come back refreshed and fit.The Board has given me the rest.If I was after records,I wont ask for rest. 

While reiterating that the toss played a crucial role in the Test,Tendulkar said that it could not be an excuse for the team.The conditions were different on different days but weve to take that. He stressed that a good showing in the second innings was essential for India.We needed to send a strong message that were here to fight and I think we've done that.

What about his prolific batting in 2010 in which he has seven centuries in 13 Tests Tendulkars simple explanation was,Ive been playing well,been enjoying my batting.And in the last couple of years,Ive been moving well. Tendulkar also spoke to his fans back home in Hindi and Marathi before letting the TV cameras swarm all over him.Tough job,this man has.On the field,and off it.

Fab@50: Sachin Creates History, At A Place Aptly Called Centurion

Sunday 19th December 2010

Centurion (South Africa):  In a year when adjectives like ‘biggest’ and ‘unprecedented’ were mostly used to describe scams, it was left to India’s sportspersons to provide cheer to the nation with their stirring feats. It is fitting, therefore, for 2010 to draw to a close with a stupendous achievement by a hero who has epitomized sporting perfection for over two decades and given millions of Indians countless moments of pride and joy.






 
Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar went where no cricketer ever had before — and no else may ever venture — when he scored his 50th Test ton on Sunday. It’s a staggering achievement that reopens the debate about whether he’s the greatest batsman ever, surpassing even the legendary Sir Don Bradman, who was famously reminded of himself while watching the Indian genius in action. It was a fitting moment in many ways. After three disappointing home Tests against New Zealand when the master failed to reach the three-figure mark, it came on a bigger stage — against South Africa in South Africa, as Team India battled to avoid an innings defeat in a match-up between the world’s two top Test teams. 

It was a century that the entire nation was eagerly awaiting from Sachin Tendulkar and he ensured that Indians had a 'Super Sunday' as he completed a historic 50th Test century against South Africa at the Centurion.

The moment Sachin found a gap through the extra cover region to push a Dale Steyn delivery for a single, the entire stadium stood up to salute one of the true legends of the game. 

It is Sachin's 175th Test match --- most by any player in the history of the game. It took him four Test matches to reach the milestone after having scored his 49th against Australia in October this year. (Click here to watch the video)

He played 197 deliveries and 258 minutes to reach the milestone. He hit 12 boundaries and a big six over long-off with left-arm spinner Paul Harris being the sufferer. This is his seventh century in the year 2010.

If some of the Indian players like Sreesanth were seen saluting Sachin on his achievement, South African players like skipper Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla congratulated the maestro.

 

M S Dhoni, the man who was at the other end when Sachin became the first batsman to hit 200 in an ODI, was again at the non-striker’s end on Sunday. In both cases, the landmark was achieved off a speed merchant who’s probably the most lethal in the business right now — Dale Steyn. They would have been special moments even if they’d come against lesser bowlers, but it was appropriate that they should come against another champion.
 

A gentle push to cover, a few quick steps towards the non-striker’s end and history was made at the SuperSport Park, at a venue aptly called Centurion. Almost from the day he made his debut some 21 years ago, Sachin had seemed destined to get 50 Test centuries. Still, when the moment arrived, it prompted goosebumps, tears and loud cheering across the world. 

As Sachin took off his helmet and looked skywards before throwing his arms up in his now trademark gesture, the stadium stood up as one to clap. Suddenly, tricolours were proudly fluttering in different parts of the ground. 

It was another great knock in a year that has seen Tendulkar harvest over 1,500 runs with seven centuries and an average in excess of 85 from 13 Tests.
 

For the man himself, the century was but a brief stop in a long journey as he strove to pull off a miracle for India — a most unlikely draw in the first Test against South Africa. Or, at least, some honour in defeat. While India are more or less finished, 30 runs behind with two wickets standing at 454/8 as a snap shower ended the day's play, Tendulkar was still not done. He is there, unconquered on 107 (226 balls, 13 fours, 1 six).
 

For a major part of the day, Tendulkar had to wage a lonely battle as a humiliating defeat loomed. India, shot out for 136 runs in the first innings, began the day at 190/2. When Tendulkar came to the middle after nightwatchman Ishant Sharma’s dismissal about 45 minutes into play, India still needed 270 to avoid a loss by an innings. The little master battled on even though Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and Suresh Raina left without any substantial contribution.
 

Finally, skipper M S Dhoni stepped up and lent the support Sachin was looking for.With Dhoni looking assured at the other end,a relaxed Tendulkar worked his way towards the landmark. Anticipation at the stadium grew more intense with every run he scored. And it was an uneasy tea break when Tendulkar went in at 80. 

But the maestro soothed nerves when play resumed with two crisp fours to move to 88. At 89, he launched Paul Harris into the stands. A couple of nudges here and there got him to 99. History was made off the next ball...

The Centurion

1. Most 100s against an opponent: 11 v Australia.
2. Most 100s in a calendar year: 7 in 2010.
3. Most 100s on a ground: 5 at Chepauk (Chennai).
4. Most 100s in a country: 22 in India (the most he has scored outside India is 6 in Australia).
5. Most 100s on a particular position: 43 at number 4 (he has hit 5 at No. 5 and 2 at No. 6).
6. Most 100s under a captain: 15 under Mohammad Azharuddin (in 47 matches).
7. Result-wise summary of 100s: 20 in matches won, 19 in matches drawn and 10 in matches lost.
8. Break-up of 100s at home and abroad : 22 at home, 28 abroad.
9. Innings-wise break-up of Tendulkar’s 100s: 20 in first innings of match, 17 in second innings of match, 10 in third innings of match and 3 in fourth innings of match.

The A-Z of Sachin Tendulkar's 50 Test centuries around the globe. Some venues are distinct favourites...

Runs	Ground	Opposition	Start Date
153	Adelaide Oval	Australia	January 24, 2008
217	Sardar Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad	New Zealand	October 29, 1999
103	Sardar Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad	England	December 11, 2001
100*	Sardar Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad	Sri Lanka	November 16, 2009
214	M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore	Australia	October 9, 2010
177	M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore	Australia	March 25, 1998
122	Edgbaston, Birmingham	England	June 6, 1996
155	OUTsurance Oval, Bloemfontein	South Africa	November 3, 2001
169	Newlands, Cape Town	South Africa	January 2, 1997
107 (batting)	SuperSport Park, Centurion	South Africa	December 19, 2010
165	MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai	England	February 11, 1993
155*	MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai	Australia	March 6, 1998
136	MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai	Pakistan	January 28, 1999
126	MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai	Australia	March 18, 2001
103*	MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai	England	December 11, 2008
105*	Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong	Bangladesh	January 17, 2010
101	Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong	Bangladesh	May 18, 2007
143	R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo	Sri Lanka	August 2, 1997
203	Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo	Sri Lanka	July 26, 2010
139	Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo	Sri Lanka	August 9, 1997
124*	Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo	Sri Lanka	February 24, 1999
104*	Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo	Sri Lanka	July 27, 1993
122	Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi	Zimbabwe	November 18, 2000
109	Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi	Sri Lanka	December 10, 2005
248*	Bangabandhu National Stadium, Dhaka	Bangladesh	December 10, 2004
143	Bangabandhu National Stadium, Dhaka	Bangladesh	January 24, 2010
122*	Bangabandhu National Stadium, Dhaka	Bangladesh	May 25, 2007
160	Seddon Park, Hamilton	New Zealand	March 18, 2009
111	The Wanderers, Johannesburg	South Africa	November 26, 1992
176	Eden Gardens, Kolkata	West Indies	October 30, 2002
106	Eden Gardens, Kolkata	South Africa	February 14, 2010
193	Headingley, Leeds	England	August 22, 2002
142	K.D.Singh 'Babu' Stadium, Lucknow	Sri Lanka	January 18, 1994
119*	Old Trafford, Manchester	England	August 9, 1990
116	Melbourne Cricket Ground	Australia	December 26, 1999
126*	Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali	New Zealand	October 10, 1999
194*	Multan Cricket Stadium	Pakistan	March 28, 2004
148	Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai	Sri Lanka	December 3, 1997
201*	Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground, Nagpur	Zimbabwe	November 25, 2000
179	Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground, Nagpur	West Indies	December 1, 1994
176	Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground, Nagpur	Zimbabwe	February 21, 2002
109	Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground, Nagpur	Australia	November 6, 2008
100	Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground, Nagpur	South Africa	February 6, 2010
177	Trent Bridge, Nottingham	England	July 4, 1996
114	W.A.C.A. Ground, Perth	Australia	February 1, 1992
117	Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain	West Indies	April 19, 2002
241*	Sydney Cricket Ground	Australia	January 2, 2004
154*	Sydney Cricket Ground	Australia	January 2, 2008
148*	Sydney Cricket Ground	Australia	January 2, 1992
113	Basin Reserve, Wellington	New Zealand	December 26, 1998

Sachin becomes first batsman to score 200 in an ODI

GWALIOR: Milestone man Sachin Tendulkar re-wrote the record books on Wednesday, hammering the first double century in the history of one-day cricket to add another feather to his well-adorned cap.

The capacity crowd at the Captain Roop Singh Stadium witnessed history on Wednesday as Tendulkar, statistically the greatest batsman the game has ever seen, pushed a Charl Langeveldt delivery through the off-side and ran a single to achieve a feat which no other cricketer has achieved.

One-day international cricket, since its 1971 inception, had to wait nearly four decades to see a batsman score 200. The previous best mark was shared by Zimbabwean Charles Coventry (194 not out against Bangladesh in 2009) and Pakistan's Saeed Anwar (194 against India in 1997).

As the crowd erupted with unbridled joy, Tendulkar, tired but composed, took off his helmet, looked skyward, closed his eyes to offer a silent prayer.

His captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni came down from the striker's end to shake hands and hug him.

And as Tendulkar set on his way back to the pavilion after the completion of the Indian innings, a tumultuous celebration greeted him.

The crowd gave him a standing ovation as the entire stadium erupted in euphoria while his teammates were simply ecstatic as they clapped and hugged each other, basking in the glory of their senior teammates.

Tendulkar batted like a man with a mission on Wednesday and the South African bowlers simply had no clue where to bowl.

Once he crossed the 150-mark, the crowd anticipated something special and Tendulkar did not let them down.

A six off Roelof van der Merwe took him past Kapil Dev's 175 not out and in the next over, he hit Jacques Kallis for a four to equal his previous best of 186 not out that had come against New Zealand in Hyderabad in 1999.

The crowd got restless as Tendulkar approached the 194-run mark and a couple off Wayne Parnell saw him eclipse it.

His teammates and spectators were on the edge of their seat with a double century round the corner but with Dhoni going berserk at the striker's end and facing most of the deliveries, it was an agonising wait for all.

Dhoni took singles off the final deliveries of the 47th-49th overs and Tendulkar finally took strike with four balls left in the innings.

The first ball he received from Langeveldt was steered past point and Tendulkar ran for a single to remain unbeaten after an unforgettable unbeaten 200 that came off just 147 balls with 25 fours and three sixes in it.

It was yet another milestone for the man, who has some 30,000 international runs under his belt, including 93 centuries (47 in Tests and 46 in ODIs).

Sachin Tendulkar's 200 was an once in a life time innings. So we are reliving the magic knock as we bring to you all his 25 fours, 3 sixes and some important milestones as we dig into our ball-by-ball commentary section. Sit back and have a treat.

Four No.1 - 1.3 Parnell to Tendulkar, FOUR!!, half volley outside off, Tendulkar opens the face of the bat and drives it to extra cover, beats the fielder and he's off the mark with a sensational boundary

Four No.2 - 1.4 Parnell to Tendulkar, FOUR!!, poor bowling this, fuller length delivery straying on the pads, Tendulkar closes the face of the bat and flicks it to deep mid wicket, consecutive boundaries for the little master

Four No.3 - 2.6 Steyn to Tendulkar, FOUR!!, he's looking in fine touch, fuller length delivery straying on the pads, Tendulkar flicks it to deep mid wicket, another boundary, the timing on that one was absolutely superb

Four No.4 - 4.3 Steyn to Tendulkar, FOUR!!, trifle short and Tendulkar is quick to pick that up, goes for the full blooded pull, picks the gap to perfection, between mid wicket and square leg for another boundary

Four No.5 - 6.2 Steyn to Tendulkar, FOUR!!, pitched up outside off, Tendulkar drives it on the up, clears the infield and the ball races away to the boundary square of the wicket on the off side

Four No.6 - 7.2 Parnell to Tendulkar, FOUR!!, that's a cracking shot!!! a lot fuller outside off, Tendulkar gets a long stride forward and drives it to sweeper cover, that went like a rocket, reached the boundary in no time

Four No.7 - 9.1 Parnell to Tendulkar, FOUR!!, fabulous shot!!! Parnell comes round the wicket, pitches it outside off, Tendulkar drives it on the off side, pierces the gap between point and cover, What an innings we are witnessing here!!

Four No.8 - 9.6 Parnell to Tendulkar, FOUR!!, Oh dear!! he's done it again, fuller length delivery outside off, Tendulkar squeezes it behind the fielder at point, the ball reached the boundary ropes before Steyn could get to it

Four No.9 - 11.4 Merwe to Tendulkar, FOUR!!, straying onto the pads once again, all he needed was a tickle past short fine leg, which he does, the fielder fumbles and the ball races away for him to get past his 94th ODI fifty

Four No.10 - 14.3 Langeveldt to Tendulkar, FOUR!!, that is as effortless as it can get. It was a length delivery on middle, he just helps it over mid on, once bounce into the fence, thank you very much he says

Four No.11 - 15.2 Merwe to Tendulkar, FOUR!!, tossed up on middle, he goes inside out over cover, gets the middle of the bat and a couple of bounces into the fence, terrific batting!

Four No.12 - 19.6 van der Merwe to Tendulkar, FOUR!!, he has made the last ball count, gets to the pitch of the ball and smokes it over cover, gets enough bat on that and the ball whistles into the boundary!

Four No.13 - 21.3 van der Merwe to Tendulkar, FOUR!!, tossed up delivery down the leg, Tendulkar closes the face of the bat and tickles it down to fine leg, that one had enough bat on it to reach the ropes

Hundredth run - 27.6 Duminy to Tendulkar, 1 run, there comes the run that was needed, Tendulkar gets to his 46th CENTURY!!, this is his 4th against SA, short and wide, Tendulkar cuts it to sweeper cover

Four No. 14 - 28.1 Kallis to Tendulkar, FOUR!!, back of a length delivery on off, Tendulkar swings his arm and whacks it over mid wicket, that went to the boundary like a rocket

Four No.15 - 28.3 Kallis to Tendulkar, FOUR!!, that's one of the best shots he has played today, they've all been good though, fuller length delivery bowler a lot slower, Tendulkar lofts it over the bowler's head, straight down the ground and another boundary to his tally

Six No.1 - 31.2 Duminy to Tendulkar, SIX!!, it was nicely tossed up, he gets to the pitch of the ball and smacks him over long on, high and handsome, sails into the crowd, goes a long way back and the crowd are on their feet

Four No.16 - 31.6 Duminy to Tendulkar, FOUR!!, that was smacked over the bowler's head with immense power, had he got a hand on it, probably he would have been blown away with the ball into the boundary, fantastic batting this, has been a treat so far!

Four No.17 - 34.2 Steyn to Tendulkar, FOUR!!, juicy full toss on the pads and he just helps it on its way wide of short fine leg, he knew exactly where the fielders were

Four No.18 - 34.5 Steyn to Tendulkar, FOUR!!, the work of a genuis out in the centre says LSRK. Wow! That was one hell of a stroke, gets across and fetches it towards deep mid wicket, not many can pull it off like that, into the boundary in a flash

Four No.19 - 35.5 Parnell to Tendulkar, FOUR!!, there is no stopping that, once that left the bat it was only heading to the boundary. Just backs away and picks up the length delivery over cover, awesome stuff!

Four No.20 - 36.4 Steyn to Tendulkar, FOUR!!, this is top class stuff, vintage Tendulkar! Fetches the ball from outside off and into the mid wicket boundary, what timing, can't get better than this

Four No.21 - 36.6 Steyn to Tendulkar, FOUR!!, there is no stopping him today, that has been dismissed into the boundary over point, no respect for the bowler what so ever!

Four No.22 - 37.3 Parnell to Tendulkar, FOUR!!, at this stage it doesn't matter who the bowler is, the ball is only destined one way and that is to the boundary. Picks the ball from outside off and flicks it superbly into the vacant spaces at deep mid wicket to get past his 150

Four No.23 - 38.1 Langeveldt to Tendulkar, FOUR!!, full and wide outside off, he reaches out, opens the face of the bat at the last moment, slides it in the gap between a ring of fielders on the off side, truly classy, exceptional shot, raced away to the fence!

Six No.2 - 40.6 Langeveldt to Tendulkar, SIX!! What a shot! Tendulkar fetches a full delivery from outside off and smashes it almost effortlessly over wide long on, superb timing!

Four No.24 - 41.5 van der Merwe to Tendulkar, FOUR!! Fine shot! Full delivery on the stumps, he clears the front leg and blasts that over the bowler's head, zoomed away into the fence

Six No.3 - 41.6 van der Merwe to Tendulkar, SIX!! Tendulkar's on a roll here! van der Merwe fired this one much quicker, Tendulkar got the front foot out of the way and just bludgeoned it through the line, clearing long off with ease!

Four No.25 - 42.6 Kallis to Tendulkar, FOUR!! Doesn't miss out on this full toss! Kallis slides onto the pads and Tendulkar rolls his wrists over it nicely, placing the ball behind square to equal his highest score

The big moment when he surpassed Saeed Anwar - 45.3 Parnell to Tendulkar, 2 runs, And there it is! Tendulkar has broken the record for the highest score in an ODI, clipping the ball off his toes to backward square, pushing hard for the second and completing it...Boucher pats him on the back for his achievement...the 200 beckons!

The Seminal moment in the history of ODI Cricket - 49.3 Langeveldt to Tendulkar, 1 run, Sachin's done it! A full and wide ball, he dabs it wide of point to complete his 200, becoming the first player ever to score a double ton in an ODI...what a magnificent player! No words are enough to describe this man... maybe the following picture will!

All I can say is... I was alive when God was playing!

Sach’s the buzz in Motera ...But For The Man Himself, It’s Like Any Other Day

Ajit Bezbaruah | TNN | 15th Nov 2009

Ahmedabad: It was good to see the whole Indian team going through the paces two days before the start of the three-Test series against Sri Lanka at the Motera here on Saturday.

It was business as usual as the Indians warmed up with a game of soccer and some fielding drills before proceeding for a nets session. Quite obviously, all the focus was on Sachin Tendulkar, as he’s approaching yet another milestone in his glorious career.

He perhaps knew what the buzz around was all about, but like a monk he looked completely oblivious, surrounded only by that halo of silence which he carries along when he goes on doing what he always does best. That sweet smile on his lips, that steely determination in his eyes and the confidence in his steps were all very much there, like it was 20 years before. Tendulkar practiced like it was just another day.

Murali: ‘Next Sachin? Nonsense!’

“I read in the newspapers somewhere recently that a boy in Mumbai scored 400-odd runs. The papers said he’s the next Sachin. What? How can anyone say that? There’ll never be another Sachin!’’

This was world’s highest wicket-taker Muttiah Muralitharan’s immediate comment when asked what he thought of Sachin Tendulkar completing 20 years in international cricket.

A blank stare greeted this reporter when he sought Murali’s reactions on the batting great: “What can I say that has never been said about him before? It’s a privilege for those who have played during his (Sachin’s) time and so got associated with him. Personally, for me, bowling to him has been a privilege...’’

“Lara and Sachin,’’ he continued, emphasising on both the greats before going on to describe the latter as a “technical genius’’ which is why “he’s more special than anybody else’’.

“If he is fit, his eyesight remains the same and mentally he keeps himself as tough, I don’t think why he won’t bat the same way even when he’s 44! I just don’t understand it when you all (media) describe just about anybody as the next Sachin. There’ll never be another!’’ Murali added.

The offie finds it difficult to zero in on his favourite Tendulkar innings. “That double century in Melbourne? The one in Chennai? His century in Perth? It’s tough!’’

Dhoni: If Sachin got out, I’d switch off the TV

Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni pays tribute to the Little Master

When I was a kid, my fascination for cricket began and ended with seeing Sachin Tendulkar bat. The moment he got out, I would switch off the television. Among the many innings that will be forever etched in my memory are those majestic backto-back hundreds against Australia in Sharjah (1998).

Soon, I started playing cricket with a tennis ball and I would try to imitate him. However, I must confess when I watched a video of my batting, it was like North Pole and South Pole! I laughed at myself for even thinking I could bat like Tendulkar.

When I made my India debut on the tour of Bangladesh in December 2004, I was both excited and nervous. It was a short tour but just being able to share the dressing room with my idol made it memorable. Being a shy person, I couldn’t muster the courage to speak to him, so I would avoid eye contact with him. I was overawed by his presence.

Finally, it was Sachin himself who broke the ice and made me feel comfortable since he would be standing close to me—in the slips. Once I got to know him better, my admiration for him grew further. As a cricketer, his self-discipline and commitment to excellence is unmatched. As a person, he is humble and honest; his feet are still grounded despite all the fame and fortune.

I was lucky to have Sachin at the non-striker’s end when I got my first Test hundred. We were playing Pakistan in Faisalabad (2006). We were in a precarious situation when I walked in to bat; Shoaib Akhtar was firing on all cylinders. He was so quick that I had no clue about the first couple of balls. Sensing my nervousness, Sachin walked down the wicket and told me, “Play the way you always play, with a smile. Enjoy the challenge.’’

Those inspiring words acted as a tonic. Shoaib pitched the next one short and I pulled it for a six over mid-wicket. That gave me a lot of confidence and from then on, I kept playing my shots, got my first century and took the team to safety.

As a sportsman and captain, I hate to lose. Tendulkar, now the seniormost citizen of world cricket, hates to lose too. The years have dimmed none of his passion for the game. He continues to give more than 100% and his schoolboy-like enthusiasm for the game is something I envy and admire. For the team he is the best available coaching manual. He keeps guiding everyone with his wealth of experience.

Critics needlessly go on talking about his retirement, but the manner in which he keeps going about his business, I joke that I might well retire before him! That’s how good he is even after two decades of international cricket. His quality knocks in the two finals against Australia (117 not out and 91) helped us win our only tri-series title in Australia (2008) on our last tour. Again, his hundred in the finals of the Compaq Cup against Sri Lanka in September this year was a quality innings. And he sliced a piece of history for India, scoring a brilliant 103 not out in Chennai (against England in December 2008) as he guided us to the fourth highest run-chase in Test history (387). His 175 at Hyderabad in the last one-day series against Australia was simply breathtaking. He seemed to have pushed the clock back by 10 years—such was the quality of his strokeplay.

Tendulkar continues to be a prolific run-getter for India and a great ambassador for the sport. Indeed, a player like Tendulkar is born once in a century. We all know that his dream of winning a World Cup is the only thing that remains unfulfilled. As captain of the Indian team, I hope that we win the 2011 World Cup for him. It will be a fitting tribute to a man who has given so much to the country.

The prodigy who shook the game By Pradeep Vijaykar

The prodigy who shook the game By Pradeep Vijaykar

Much before he became a legend, the young sensation was reinventing the art of batting on Mumbai’s maidans. PRADEEP VIJAYAKAR recalls...

Whenever talk veers towards the early excitement around Sachin Tendulkar’s talent, I remember the words of Kapil Dev. I had broken the news to the Indian team in the dressing room about Sachin making a hundred on Ranji Trophy debut. The first to respond was Kapil, who immediately told his teammates,‘‘Please don’t go overboard over this performance. We have also had our prodigies in Haryana. There was Rajdeep Kalsi. But he flattered to deceive.''

Kapil’s Mumbai teammates, like Dilip Vengsarkar and Sanjay Manjrekar, sniggered. They had been following Sachin’s performances since he was 12. They had played with and against him. They knew the buzz. They knew what happened with Kalsi would never happen with Sachin. Mumbai cricket has its system of checks and balances and people with the right priorities usually let a talented young one sail through to the top seamlessly.

Also, word spreads around Mumbai’s cricket maidans very fast. When Sachin scored his first fifty for Shardashram against Don Bosco he was barely 11, but umpire DS Gondhalekar immediately told Sachin’s coach Ramakant Achrekar that his ward would one day play for India.

In Achrekar’s own words, Sachin was a ‘‘natural”. He says: ‘‘By the time he was 12 or 13 I knew he would reach the top. I had to tell him one thing just once, and he would stick to it.”'

Still, there were people not willing to get carried away. Like for the semifinal of a suburban tournament, Sachin was left out of the XI by the Hind Sevak skipper. When the skipper got a scolding from Achrekar, Sachin was picked for the two-day final against Prabhu Jolly Young. In the first innings he was out first ball, for a duck off the back of his bat. The bowler was a little known legspinner, yours truly!

The members of the team cursed this bowler for denying them the pleasure of watching the prodigy from close quarters. In the second innings, Sachin hit three boundaries in a row off Ajit Pai, former India seamer, before being run out by his skipper. He went back crying to the pavilion.

This is the ‘check-and-balance' system. There were a few Doubting Thomases. The city had seen many young talents. Budhi Kunderan played for India before he played for Mumbai. Madhav Apte claimed all ten wickets in the Giles Shield and played for India as opening batsman. Ravi Shastri had been catapulted into Test cricket within a year of his firstclass debut.

Nadeem Memon was among the senior players when Sachin played for John Bright in the F Division of the Monsoon tournament Kanga League, which is a test of batsmanship because the deliveries rise off the drying pitches. Says Nadeem, ‘‘Achrekar Sir asked me to include Sachin, who was about 12. There were some who thought he might get hurt but he got 16 not out. Vinod Kambli, Samir Dighe, Iqbal Khan, Dattaram Pandit were also there in the side.”

Two teammates who saw him from close quarters at that raw age were Amol Muzumdar and Sairaj Bahutule. Amol Muzumdar was waiting for his turn during the world record 664-run stand with Vinod Kambli, while Sairaj Bahutule was in the opposition, in the St. Xavier’s High School bowling lineup. Amol recalls,‘‘We knew he would play Test cricket but not for 20 years. I was not in Achrekar’s stable initially but with coach Anna Vaidya.

“But at Shivaji Park this buzz was there. I remember once I was travelling in a bus with my mother. Sachin was in the same bus. I didn’t know him then. I told my mom when we saw Sachin get off, ‘That’s Sachin Tendulkar, he will play for India.’”

Amol adds, ‘‘He had special talent. At that time the stress was more on correct technique and temperament, less on flamboyance. But Sachin had this terrific ability to hit the ball which we never saw in others. When one knows that one can hit any bowler it is a big plus point.”

Sairaj Bahutule is all praise for Sachin’s consistency, right from the U-15 level. ‘‘He hit big runs off me in that world-record stand but he played the bowling on merit even at that young age, which is remarkable.”'

Naresh Churi was another Achrekar chela like Amol Muzumdar, who missed the international bus in spite of having performed and taken the route that Pravin Amre did — Ranji trophy for Railways and Duleep for Central Zone. He says,‘‘I had passed out of school when Sachin joined but when in town I would go to the nets and see him. Sir had a special net for the extra-talented. Once I saw Sachin hitting in the air and asked him, ‘You told us to keep the ball along the ground but Sachin is doing the opposite.’ Achrekar told me, ‘When he hits, he not only middles the ball but he clears the ground. Plus he doesn’t get out when he lifts the ball.’ I appreciated the logic and I knew then that Sachin was special.”

Churi says at the same time there were many who were pointing out that Vinod Kambli was the greater player. ‘‘Once I took our Railways coach Vinod Sharma to watch a Shardasharam game. After Sachin got out with some 250 runs still needed to chase down Anjuman’s 500-plus score at Azad maidan, it was Vinod who scored over 250 and earned us victory. Sharma was impressed more by Vinod. But I insisted that Sachin would be the one.” Soon after, when we were in Delhi for a Ranji game, Sharma knocked on my door in the morning saying,‘‘Your Sachin has been picked for Mumbai.”

When the late Raj Singh Dungarpur saw Sachin play at the Brabourne Stadium in the schools final, he remarked about his maturity. About how when the field was spread out, Sachin would turn his boundary-bound drives to longon and long-off for twos.

How he didn’t hit the ball in the air for nearly two days. No wonder it took little persuasion for Raj Singh, as chairman of the national selection committee, to pick Sachin for India ahead of the likes of Gursharan Singh and Praveen Amre. The rest, as they say, is history.

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Salil Ankola: Tendulkar loves fried Bombil fish

SALIL ANKOLA Casts His Mind Back To The Early Days, Recalling Sachin’s Passion For Good Food And The Tendency To Sleepwalk...


Celebrating Sachin Tendulkar’s 20 glorious years is such a joy for me. It reminds me of my own early days too. Now that I look back, I am reminded of the time when we were both kids. While Sachin was a star even then, having scored a century on his Ranji Trophy debut, I had taken a few wickets myself. But he played for Mumbai while I played for Maharashtra.

Having heard so much about him, I was eager to meet Sachin, and finally came across him during a match in Aurangabad. He was so gentle, yet such a solid player when it came to batting. Nothing seemed to trouble him. Soon, we would be travelling together, on a trip to the West Indies with the U-22 team.

The real connect, however, was made when we attended a training camp and spent close to a month together. We shared a common passion for good food. Off the field, we used to get together and with a few others and talk about nothing but food! Sachin loves to have the fried bombil fish.

The one incident that made me understand his level of commitment and focus came 20 years ago, during Sachin’s debut tour to Pakistan in 1989. At Sialkot, Sachin was caught sleepwalking at the team hotel. He had been very anxious about some new bats which he had ordered, which were to be delivered the next day. A little after midnight, he sleepwalked, eyes closed, into Maninder Singh’s room to ask, ‘‘Mere bats aaye kya? Maine mangaye the (Have my bats come? I had asked for them).’’ The young genius was put back to sleep and the next morning we all laughed off the incident. Today, this story is part of cricket folklore. Something that tells us about what it takes to be a genius!

(Pace bowler Salil Ankola played one Test and 20 ODIs for India is now a television actor)

US & HIM

Abhinav Bindra: "Sachin wanted to know about my last shot, the one which won India the gold"

For ABHINAV BINDRA, India’s only individual Olympic gold-medal winner, cricket begins and ends with Sachin

I don’t think I’m a cricket fan. How can I be? All my life, I’ve only been interested in watching Sachin Tendulkar, and none of the other Indian batsmen. Everytime he gets out, I turn off my TV, deeming it unworthy to watch anything else after that. Does that mean I’m not a true follower of cricket? I don’t know. Is it possible to not follow cricket and still have Tendulkar as an idol? I don’t know but I’ve done exactly that.

It was during the 1996 World Cup in India that I began to follow the game, or should I say Tendulkar. I got hooked on to his game for the extra grace, for the aggression that he brought to the field. Of course, over the years, Tendulkar has transformed his game. To last this long, he had to cut off a lot of shots. It was a brave move, considering all the public expectations. But he managed and he got into that frame of mind. And now again, it seems like he’s turning a corner. He looks more relaxed, he’s playing more freely.

I know people have these big Sachin scores (like the famous one in Sharjah) as their favourites but funnily for me, it was the 40-odd that he made against the West Indies in West Indies (44 in Trinidad in 1997, against an attack comprising Ambrose, Walsh and Bishop) which I like the most. The pitch was difficult, the sky was overcast, the ball was swinging and all the other Indian batsmen were just falling apart. Tendulkar played with such ease.

It showed why he is so special and that’s why there are such silly expectations when it comes to him. Although I don’t know him personally but from a distance, it looks as if Tendulkar lives in a bubble. Otherwise, how do you explain the years he has been able to play without getting affected? To add to that, there were numerous surgeries. It must have been a steep ask, I’m sure, to sustain the hunger.

I first met Tendulkar during the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games for only a brief moment, when I was participating as a 13-yearold. Someone clicked a photo of us and I ensured that I had it. I came back and put it up in my room hoping that I would have more such classic encounters. My wish was fulfilled last Monday, when I met him during an award ceremony, after 11 long years.

We spoke general stuff — about our earlier meeting and a common fraud trainer we were being conned by! He then asked me about my last shot, which fetched India the Olympic gold. I became his fan, anew, that evening.

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Sania Mirza: "I sent him a congratulatory SMS & he replied instantly."

SANIA MIRZA applauds India’s super bat


Thorough gentleman: The best thing about Sachin Tendulkar is that he’s completely rooted, down to earth, and a thorough gentleman. He’s probably the best thing to have happened to Indian cricket and maybe Indian sport as a whole. When he completed 17,000 runs in ODIs, I sent him a congratulatory SMS. He replied immediately. He’s obviously a champion, but despite everything he has achieved he remains a really gentle person.

First meeting: I think it was at a press conference. After that we chatted, and we’ve met quite a few times since. I’ve even played umpire for an exhibition tennis match that he was involved in and it was fun.

His achievements: I don't know if I want to rate any one of his achievements over the others. He has achieved a lot, and I think it would be unfair to rank it, simply because a lot of effort has gone into each knock.

That he has lasted this long on the international stage is fantastic. For years, I've been reading about how he shouldn’t play ODIs, and then he comes up with a knock like the 175 (in Hyderabad last week against the Australians) and silences everybody. I’m no expert on this, but it looks like he still has some good years of cricket left in him.

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Baiching Bhutia: "When we met I could see he was a thorough gentleman."

BHAICHUNG BHUTIA marvels at Tendulkar’s work ethic and single-minded devotion to the game


Talent is a fleeting theme but Sachin Tendulkar has surpassed the boundaries of its definition. He belongs to that rare species in the sporting world who have not only fulfilled their role in the game with distinction but contributed more than their share.

We started off our careers at almost the same age. So I know how difficult it is to keep pace with the demands of the game, maintain fitness and yet find enough motivation to pursue brilliance. As you gain name and fame, you require strong balance in life, and must rely on self-belief to stay focused. Sachin has handled this pressure superbly.

He is always a great inspiration to everybody. His records are there for everybody to see. He is the best batsman in the world but what amazes me is his involvement with other aspects of the game as well. But his contribution to bowling and fielding is immense. He has given India and himself a special identity in the game.

I have met him on a few occasions, mostly for photoshoot sessions. The last time when we came together was at the Sunfeast Open in Kolkata in September 2007, when Mahesh Bhupathi invited both of us. We exchanged notes on our respective sports. He seemed to me to be very humble, a thorough gentleman who is respectful.

Sourav Ganguly: I’ve never seen Tendulkar throw tantrums, on or off the field

Sourav Ganguly, under whose captaincy Tendulkar played for five long years, says he often benefited from Sachin’s wisdom

What can I say about Sachin Tendulkar that has not already been said or written about? Isn’t it enough to say that players of my generation have been lucky to share the dressing room with him?

Having known him from very close quarters right from our days we used to play under-15 cricket, I have marvelled at the manner in which he has built his career, admired his single-minded approach to batting and the way he has handled fame and fortune.

After I took over the captaincy from him in 2000, I have often benefited from his cricketing wisdom. In my book, there are three aspects to being Sachin Tendulkar: the batsman, the person and the superstar.

The batsman: Simply put, he is the best batsman that I have seen or played with or against. He is head and shoulders above the rest and there is no comparison. Having opened with him in over 200 ODIs and been at the other end of the wicket on hundreds of occasions, I’ve marvelled at his ability to play shots that lesser mortals would not even think of attempting. With a cricket bat in hand, Sachin is supremely confident. There is no better sight in cricket than Sachin in full flow.

The person: The best thing about Sachin is that despite scaling new peaks of popularity, he has both feet planted firmly on the ground. That’s the reason he has not only survived for 20 long years as a top-level athlete but continues to prosper in all walks of life. In life as well as in cricket, Sachin always strikes the right balance. I have no doubt in my mind that he will continue to do the country proud with the bat for as long as he chooses to play.

The superstar: In a cricket-crazy country where everyone wants a piece of him, I have never seen Sachin throw tantrums, on or off the field. He is a role model for the youth and carries himself with dignity. He also has very deeprooted values and stands by them. He is easily India’s biggest sporting icon of his generation.

Lata Mangeshkar: "Sachin touched my feet and said, ‘you’re like my mother’. I was so moved..."

Like melody queen Lata Mangeshkar, Sachin Tendulkar too casts a spell on the audience. Like Lata, Tendulkar’s longevity, in his own field, is unmatched. Yet when it comes to each other, they are gushing fans, like millions of ordinary Indians. Bharat Ratna Lata pays rich tribute to the little champion in this TOI exclusive...

Ajay Naidu | TNN

TOI: Like yourself, there seems to be no limit to Tendulkar’s genius too. The entire country is celebrating his 20th year in international cricket. How do you look at this monumental achievement?
LATA: My heartiest congratulations to him I have seen Sachin right from the time he made his debut as a sixteen-year-old. Since then, he has gone on to climb dizzy heights, he’s got mar ried, raised a family, and somehow remained the same humble man throughout. It’s really amazing to know he has been around for 20 years. I greet him and his family. May God bless him and may he go on for another 40 years!

TOI:You have been an ardent admirer of the game, from Sunil Gavaskar to Sachin. What do you like about Tendulkar when he graces the crease?
LATA: Like Sunil Gavaskar, there’s a com forting thought that Sachin will hold the fort that Team India is safe. Though each stroke is a stroke of genius, I have a distinct liking for his straight drive. I also admire the way he looks up to the heavens every time he com pletes a half-century or century. It means he is thanking God for blessing him, and that’s great thing. Who can forget the 1999 World Cup when he played on even though his father passed away midway through the tournament Sachin took a break to attend the funeral and returned quickly to score a century, then looked up to the skies to seek his father’s blessings. It was a very touching and emotional moment for every Indian. The poignancy of that mo ment has stayed in the minds of all who watched that knock. I am no exception.

TOI: If you were asked to play favourites be tween Sunil Gavaskar and Sachin, who would you pick?
LATA: To be honest, it’s difficult to pick one. They played in different eras and both brought laurels to the country. Sunil had his own distinct style while Sachin is in a class of his own. Both are legends in their own right Having said that, I think Sunil retired a bit ear ly. And what else can I say about Sachin? The fact that Don Bradman, the greatest batsman ever, was reminded of himself while watching Sachin bat is the best tribute he can ever get.

TOI: Talk us through your first meeting with Tendulkar...
LATA: Although I don’t remember the first time, I remember having met him once at Raj Thackeray’s residence. That was on his birthday, on the 24th of April, which incidentally is also my father’s death anniversary. I got a call from Raj requesting me to come over to meet Sachin. Since it was his birthday, I asked Raj what gift I could get for the young batsman. remember we all sat outside, chatting. I pre sented Sachin with an idol of Sai Baba. As did that, Sachin touched my feet and said, ‘you are like my mother’. Usne mujhe maa ka dar ja diya. I was really moved.

TOI: He is passionate about your singing, and that of Kishore Kumar’s..
LATA: I know he likes to hear my songs and I feel humbled. He has also been to a cou ple of my concerts. But he never came up to me to say, ‘I am here.’ That’s his greatness. In fact, I didn’t notice him the first time he was there to watch me sing. The next time he came with his wife. I think it was in Mumbai or Pune My brother Hridaynath Mangeshkar informed me that Sachin was in the audience. Then I no ticed him and said ‘namaste' from the stage. I really like about Sachin is that de spite being a great player, he is so humble and down to earth. I know he has broken so many records, done the country proud and won so many awards. For doing all that and still con ducting himself respectfully all along, I think he deserves a Bharat Ratna. Why just a Bharat Ratna, I would like to honour Sachin with a ‘Vishwa Ratna’!

Amitabh Bachchan: ‘I HAVE DELAYED MY SHOOTS MANY TIMES TO WATCH SACHIN BAT’

They are the biggest two icons of the country; they are also unabashed admirers of each other. Amitabh Bachchan Speaks About Sachin Tendulkar’s Genius In This TOI Exclusive...
Ajay Naidu | TNN

TOI: Sachin Tendulkar is going to complete 20 years in international cricket. Your reactions on this awesome feat by the little great man of Indian cricket...
AB: Incredible! It is a marvel that a sportsman can have such an extended, achievement-filled life. His recent performance (referring to Sachin’s 175 in Hyderabad) was better than all those much younger than him. He is a true genius!

TOI: How does it feel to know that despite being an icon himself, Tendulkar has been a huge fan of yours since he was a kid?
AB: I am so, so humbled by this fact. It is Sachin’s greatness that he should consider me to be capable of his affection and love.

TOI: What is it that you admire about Sachin’s batting?
AB: It is the absolute confidence his stance exudes, and the imperious manner in which he dismisses each delivery. All his strokes are poetry in motion but, for me, his punched off-drive is breathtaking.

TOI: You are a legend yourself and have been in the limelight for so many years now. Do you appreciate the way Tendulkar has handled pressure, both on and off the field?
AB: I am no legend, but Sachin is a consummate artist and all such artists are gifted in handling pressure under all circumstances. Indeed, I believe if there were to be no pressure in an artist’s life, his best would never emerge.

TOI: Have you ever delayed a shoot, or postponed an appointment, just because Tendulkar was going great guns during a match?
AB: Yes, innumerable times!

TOI: When Tendulkar is playing well, he puts a smile on a billion faces.
Suddenly, people everywhere seem to be more accomodating and friendly, and even the cashier at the bank serves you with a smile! Have you experienced similar feel-good vibes at your shoots?
AB: There is an atmosphere of positivity when Sachin is doing well and, at shoots, there is a constant, uplifting buzz.

TOI: Talk us through some of the innings you cherish...
AB: Look at his record! Do you really think anyone has the capacity to talk through his best innings? As far as I am concerned, they have all been the best.

TOI: When did you first meet Sachin and what was your first impression about him?
AB: I cannot remember when exactly I first met him. But I do remember that from the day I met him to this day, he has remained the same humble, quiet and shy person, one who almost wishes that he could avoid all the attention he gets in public.

TOI: Tendulkar has appeared on Kaun Banega Crorepati and also featured in a few commercials with you. What was the chemistry like during those shoots?
AB: There was instant rapport between us and he was clinically correct in the execution of whatever he took up.

TOI: Facing controversy is part of being a celebrity. Do you sometimes wonder how someone like Tendulkar has managed to stay away from controversies despite being under the microscope for two decades?
AB: It is the able manner in which he conducts himself in public and private that has made him what he is today. It requires great restraint and mental rectitude to achieve that. It is not easy to remain unaffected and aloof from controversy, but Sachin has always exercised the qualities most achievers do: he has remained patient and allowed his bat to do the talking. When his bat talks, controversy — right or wrong — can take a walk.

TOI: Apart from his batting, what are the qualities you admire in Tendulkar?
AB: His gentle, unobtrusive manner.

TOI: Besides yourself, who else in your family is a Tendulkar fan?
AB: Everyone in my family is a huge Tendulkar fan.

TOI: Like in your case, age appears to be just a number for Tendulkar. Retirement seems far off...
AB: Do not compare or put Sachin in the same class as me. May he continue to be with us, in our team, and be our inspiration forever. At a public function for the promotion of his film, Aamir Khan made a very pertinent remark. He said despite the fact that they know they are the best, Lata Mangeshkar and Sachin Tendulkar have never been heard saying so themselves. I would look at this remark in two ways. 1. Those who think they are the best, need to keep saying it because others do not. 2. Those who know they are the best do not need to say it because others say it! So if they are not saying they are the best, it probably means they still believe there is room for improvement. That’s the true mark of a master.

ajay.naidu@timesgroup.com