From Ball Boy to Legend: The Rise of Sachin Tendulkar
Introduction
Sachin Tendulkar, aka the “Little Master,” is a name that needs no introduction in the world of cricket. From his early days as a ball boy to becoming the richest cricketer in the world, Tendulkar’s journey is filled with interesting anecdotes and stories that will leave you in awe.
The Beginning
As a young boy, Tendulkar had his heart set on becoming a fast bowler, but fate had other plans. He was rejected by the legendary Dennis Lillee’s MRF Pace Foundation in 1987. However, his love for the game was unshakable, and he went on to work as a ball boy during the 1987 World Cup match between India and Zimbabwe at the Wankhede Stadium. The following year, he even fielded for Pakistan as a substitute during a one-day practice match against India at the Brabourne Stadium.
The Teenage Prodigy
During his teens, Tendulkar was mentored by Ramakant Achrekar and was awarded a coin if he could last an entire session of nets without being dismissed. He proudly owns 13 such coins. He was so passionate about cricket that he used to sleep with his gear, and his first car was a Maruti-800.
The Records & The Awards
In October 1995, Sachin became the richest cricketer after signing a five-year contract worth Rs 31.5 crore with World Tel. He is the first international batsman to be given out by a third umpire, and at 19, he was the youngest Indian to play county cricket. He has also won numerous awards, including the prestigious Bharat Ratna, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Arjuna Award, and Padma Shri.
Also Read: Top 10 Cricketers: Most Test Runs Against Australia
The Little-Known Facts
Tendulkar, who is considered one of the calmest people, was quite the bully in school. He was sent to cricket coaching class as a punishment, but that’s where he found his calling. He has a weakness for “vada-pao,” a popular Maharashtrian snack, and grew his hair to emulate his idol, tennis star John McEnroe. He is a big fan of Kishore Kumar and Dire Straits and loves fishing for tadpoles and guppy fish in his free time.
The Prankster & The Possessive
Tendulkar is also known for his playful side and once put a hose pipe into Sourav Ganguly’s room and turned the tap on during their early days of cricket. He is also very possessive about his Ferrari, not even letting his wife drive it. During rain breaks, he loved to play tennis ball cricket and darts.
Conclusion
A living legend in the sport of cricket is Sachin Tendulkar. Sachin’s career is full with incredible anecdotes and statistics that make him a true icon of the game, from being turned down as a fast bowler to becoming the youngest player to score 1000 runs in Test cricket.