SIR DON'S BAT AMONG SACHIN TENDULKAR'S BEST MEMENTOES

He may be legend himself and a cricket 'God' in India, but Sachin Tendulkar loves to collect his mementoes as well. While inaugurating a Collectabillia Celebrity Wall in a Juhu coffee shop on Wednesday, Tendulkar revealed that he was a memento freak and possessed some of the most cherished objects that a sport fan can imagine. Muhammad Ali's autographed gloves and a bat signed by Sir Don Bradman are among his top collection, Tendulkar revealed on Wednesday. "They are very close to my heart," Tendulkar said. He also has an Asha Bhosle record of the 60s with him.

The latest addition in Tendulkar's collection though is a Ferrari cap signed by F1 driver Fernando Alonso. A fan of Ferrari cars, the legendary cricketer was presented with a Ferrari car (360 Modena) by Michael Schumacher in 2002 which even generated some controversy because the cricketer had allegedly not paid the entire import duty on it.

While he sold the Ferrari in 2011, 40-year-old Tendulkar who returned from a holiday on Tuesday, is now awaiting a gift from melody queen Lata Mangeshkar. "That will be a surprise gift. She said she will give me something," Tendulkar said. The former batting maestro said a guitar from Dire Straits' star Mark Knopfler and A R Rahman were other things that he treasured.

Known for his collection of paintings, Tendulkar always cherishes the coins from his coach Ramakant Achrekar among his "top" gifts. "Those coins I earned when I trained with him. They are the closest," Tendulkar said.