Published: Sep 22, 2015, 11:39 AM (IST)
Edited: Sep 22, 2015, 11:39 AM (IST)
Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar paid tribute to late Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) chief Jagmohan Dalmiya. Tendulkar was quoted by Mumbai Mirror as saying, “I distinctly remember meeting Mr Dalmiya after we (Mumbai Indians) won the IPL this year (in May). That was the last meeting I had with him in private. He was standing alone at a place while the presentation ceremony was going on at the Eden. I went up to him and we chatted for quite some time. We were happy catching up with each other.” Dalmiya passed away on Sunday night at the age of 75 after suffering from a heart condition. Jagmohan Dalmiya: The man who redefined rules of cricket administration
“Our last discussion was also in Kolkata when the Cricket Advisory Committee meeting was held (in June). It was evident from the discussions that he wanted to find out the latest about the game and implement it. He wanted to make sure that the board did not miss out on anything.” Jagmohan Dalmiya was a visionary, very worthy opponent: Lalit Modi
Tendulkar remembers his penultimate Test at Eden Gardens and how Dalmiya made sure that the former Indian skipper felt pampered. “My fondest memories with Mr Dalmiya were, again, from Kolkata. It was during my penultimate Test and he went out of the way to make it a special occasion. He called me before I flew in there and from the time I landed in Kolkata, things were happening non-stop. He took all possible troubles to please me — be it organising an exhibition, flying balloons, showering flowers. Wherever I went, an effort was made to thank me. I felt very pampered during those five-six days.” Ian Chappell: Jagmohan Dalmiya was accused of doing the best for Indian cricket
Tendulkar reveals that Dalmiya would call him to congratulate when he did well and even encourage him when he did not do well. “Whenever I have or haven’t done well, he would call me to congratulate or encouraging me. Whether I was playing in India or abroad, he would be one of the first to call when it warranted. When the president of the board picks up the phone and calls you, it makes a difference.” IS Bindra pays tribute to Jagmohan Dalmiya
The Mumbai stalwart also goes on to remember the time when Dalmiya called Tendulkar to console the batsman’s father’s demise. “He was among the first to call me on hearing the news of my father’s demise in 1999 (during the World Cup in England). It was a very touching gesture. He was the president of the ICC then and he wanted to make sure I did not have trouble dealing with the tragedy. It meant a lot.” Jagmohan Dalmiya was Pakistan cricket’s sincere friend: Shahryar Khan
“Mr Dalmiya was truly special to me. All along, he was very helpful, not just to me but for all the cricketers. Whenever there was an issue with the players, he would take special interest to ensure the players’ point of view was factored in the discussions. He cared about cricket and cricketers. Deep within, he was a players’ administrator.” Jagmohan Dalmiya — a clever, daring sports administrator
Tendulkar states that there were sponsorship issues during 2002-03 and how Dalmiya decided to hear the players. “There were issues about sponsorships in 2002-03 and he chose to give the players a patient hearing. He was open to suggestions and ideas. We had some healthy discussions and he came across as someone who was sincerely interested in players’ benefit. The players knew that.”
“He was also aware that the players looked up to him to protect their interest and he would never let them down. It was a kind of give-and-take relationship between him and the players. He earned the respect of the players during those discussion. You respect the person who cares for you. He tried to reach out not just to the Indian players but also to the players world over. As the president of the ICC, he tried to enrich the lives of the cricketers and health of the game globally. The Champions Trophy is a case in point. It was his brainchild. I have heard stories about how he went out of the way and negotiated with sponsors for the enrichment of the game at the world level. Players, world over, valued his contribution,” Tendulkar concluded.
