Published: Nov 04, 2013, 12:58 PM (IST)
Edited: Nov 04, 2013, 12:58 PM (IST)
The writer says it is difficult to imagine cricket without Sachin Tendulkar © Getty Images
By Nilesh Kulkarni
I first came across Sachin Tendulkar when we were playing a school game in Kalyan. I was playing for the SV Joshi High School and we were facing Sachin’s Sharadashram. Sachin smashed us all over the park and got a century. Years later, I shared the dressing room with him for Mumbai and India.
Sachin was always supportive and encouraging towards anyone who gets into the team. This was the case for both Mumbai and India. I was fortunate that he was the captain when I made my debut for both teams. It helped settle my nerves as he made me comfortable and that gave me immense confidence. He gave me invaluable suggestions which helped me plan my bowling and adjust.
If you ask me for memorable moments with Sachin there are too many.
Sachin is an institution. People talk about universities and colleges as institutions, but the moment you go to him when you are finding things tough, he will certainly come up with two or three ways to solve the problem. As a bowler, you may have difficulties and if you approach him, he has ways to help you. That, I think, is phenomenal. There were times when I got hit and he would come to me and say, “Look at the way batsman is moving. Understand what he is trying to do.” The way he reads and analyses the game, and of course prepares for it, is a classic case study for any youngster who wants to play the game.
During a Ranji Trophy game, Navjot Singh Sidhu was attacking me. Sachin asked me to not worry about the runs and go for wickets. It was a positive suggestion as he asked me not to think about spreading the field. That gives you tremendous belief as a bowler and helps you go for wickets.
Under Sachin’s captaincy, we had toured Pakistan to play three One-Day Internationals (ODI). It was a tough tour as the crowd was totally behind their side, but Sachin helped us adjust and focus on the game in the centre. India were touring Pakistan after almost eight years and he was one of the few players who had visited earlier. His experience helped us quite a lot and shield ourselves from what was happening off the field.
Sachin’s best innings in the Ranji Trophy was that 233 against Tamil Nadu in 2000. That was a phenomenal innings. Robin Singh was the Tamil Nadu captain and he had put all nine fielders on the boundary. Despite that, Sachin still managed to find the ropes. It was unbelievable. That is an innings one would remember forever.
The opportunity I got to play with him is something I will always cherish. The legacy he has left behind speaks volumes. The fans will certainly miss him, and so will I. I have always loved watching him bat and it is difficult to imagine cricket without Sachin.
Sachin, congratulations on a great career and the joy you have given to millions for 24 years. I hope you get the same love and affection from the people even after you retire.
— As told to Nishad Pai Vaidya
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(Nilesh Kulkarni is a former India left-arm spinner who played three Tests and 10 One-Day Internationals ODIs. He played an important role as a bowler in Mumbai’s domination on the domestic scene, taking took 357 wickets in 101 First-Class games.)
