‘Not seen anyone as committed as Sachin Tendulkar in all my years as a player and coach’

Sachin Tendulkar would arrive at the academy in Bandra, Mumbai by 9am. He would do some stretching and fielding after which he would go on to running between the wickets. This would be followed by batting practice with the bowling machine until 4:30pm © Getty Images

By Pradeep Sunderam

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I have seen Sachin Tendulkar playing since his school days. Back then, Vinod Kambli and Sachin used to plunder tons of runs in school cricket. The first impression I had of Sachin was that he was a solid batsman. But, then it looked like the flamboyant Vinod would turn out a better player.

Sachin was playing for the Cricket Club of India (CCI) as a teenager and I was representing the Rajasthan Sports Club. We were playing a Kanga League game at the Brabourne Stadium when Sachin walked out to bat after his side had lost a few wickets. I decided to bowl a slower delivery first up to the youngster. When I bowled the ball, he committed to the shot early and it gave me an impression that I had got him. I was almost about to celebrate, when Sachin went through with the shot and smashed me straight over my head for a six! I knew his true calibre, but this was a remarkable shot. Of course, I later had the satisfaction of getting him out, caught at gully.

I worked with the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) Academy in Bandra for six years before taking over as the Rajasthan coach this season. Sachin used to come to practice there and I have had many interactions with him in the last few years. Whenever he was in town, we met almost every day as he came to train there.

There was one occasion when I was working with the young fast-bowlers and had made a corridor for them to have a straight run-up. Sachin was very happy with that and appreciated me for the training method. He then discussed his observations of Brett Lee’s run-up. Sachin said that earlier, Lee had an angular run-up and used to bowl very fast. He was happy with that pace as he didn’t have to play too many deliveries as they were not directed at the stumps. But, once Lee came straighter, Sachin said that he had to play most of the deliveries. Although he had lost a bit of pace, he was still fast and more effective because he came straighter. He told me, “What you are doing is beautiful!”

In my all my years as a player and a coach, I am yet to come across a more committed and dedicated player. Let me tell you Sachin’s training regime when he was in Mumbai. He would come every morning to the academy in Bandra and would know exactly what to do as his whole day was planned. So, he would arrive around 8.30 or 9.00 in the morning and start with some stretching and fielding. Later he would go on to running between the wickets, and batting practice with the bowling machine. This would go on until around 4.30 in the evening. There was a short rest period in between and everything was precisely timed.

While playing with the bowling machine, Sachin would set it and practice by himself. And, he was ready to learn and adjust throughout. Before going on some tours, he would have certain methods of practicing. For example, for Australia, England and South Africa, he would practice with rubber balls dipped in water. That is because the ball would bounce and come on fast. Many times, he would put in a kind request to me, “Tumi yeta ka mala bowling karayla?” (Will you come and bowl to me please?) The way he practiced for such difficult assignments was simply amazing.

Despite all the fame, he has remained humble and grounded. Whenever he practiced at the academy, if people came and asked for autographs or even a photo, he never said no. He would oblige them and that left a smile on their faces.

For all these years, I have seen Sachin practice regularly whenever he has been in Mumbai, so it is a question mark for me as to what he would do once he retires. Whenever I have seen him, he is either practicing or playing matches. So, I don’t know what is in store, but I am sure he would have planned something.

Sachin would certainly leave a huge void, despite the presence of talented youngsters. No one can match his aura. Oppositions always feared:  “Sachin is yet to come.” That is something very few could do and this fear factor is totally different.

I wish him the very best for the future, and I hope and pray that another Sachin comes along.

—   As told to Nishad Pai Vaidya

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(Pradeep Sunderam is a former Ranji Trophy fast-bowler who played for Rajasthan. In 40 First-Class matches, he took 145 wickets at 28.78. He is famous for taking 10 for 78 came against Vidharba in the 1985-86 Ranji season. After retirement, Padeep turned to coaching and is currently at the helm at Rajasthan. He is the son of Test cricketer GR Sunderam)