Even among the leagues of legends, the adulation that Sachin Tendulkar has earned is one of its kind. So what more can you possibly say about the legend than what's already been said? Well, the RBS tribute, edited by Kavita Sonawala, promises rarer stuff: personal photographs and anecdotes recounted by Tendulkar himself.
RAMESH TENDULKAR TO SON
"Typically let's say a person lives for 70 years or so. How many years will you play the sport? 20 years, if you are very good, maybe even 25 years. Even by that yardstick, you will live the majority of your years outside the sphere of your professional sport. This clearly means that there is more to life than cricket. I am asking you, son, to keep a pleasant disposition and maintain a balanced nature. Do not allow success to breed arrogance in you. If you remain humble, people will give you love and respect even after you have finished with the game. As a parent, I would be happier hearing people say, 'Sachin is a good human being' more than 'Sachin is a great cricketer', any day."
SACHIN ON SLEDGING
Dodda Ganesh and I were batting and Alan Donald was bowling lightning-fast deliveries.When Dodda faced his onslaught fearlessly Alan started mouthing words at Dodda. On three consecutive deliveries Dodda got confused but did not lose his wicket. At the end of the over Alan went over to Dodda and let loose a string of verbal abuses. Since Dodda's face remained impassive, Alan became even more furious. I witnessed the interaction from the non-striker's end. When Alan came to fetch his cap from the umpire at the end of his over, I told him: "Alan, Dodda only knows a local language called Kannada. I find it difficult to communicate with him as well when we are batting together. So how can he understand your abuses in English? If you want to trouble him, speak to him in Kannada so that at least he will understand." This made Alan even more furious. He almost snatched his cap from the umpire and making wild gestures with his hands.
ON VINOD KAMBLI
It was around 1985, when I was about 12, that I noticed a new kid at the nets one day. His free stroke play and carefree approach to the game was a treat to behold for most of us. It was a shock for us to learn that this lad came in everyday from Kanjurmarg (a place which meant an hour long train ride each way) for practice. We marvelled at his dedication.
ON THE LEGENDARY SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP WITH KAMBLI
...On the third morning of the game, Prof Ramakant Achrekar called in to check how many wickets had fallen. On being told that Vinod and Sachin were still going strong and the innings had not been declared, he made his way to the ground. As soon as he arrived, he signalled for us to declare. Vinod, being a smart cookie, had noticed his arrival. I hadn't. Between overs, he would so engineer things that we were standing with our backs to the pavilion, making it appear that we had not seen him. Finally, an exasperated Sir yelled out, "Are you boys getting back in here, or do I have to come onto the ground and drag you out?".
"Typically let's say a person lives for 70 years or so. How many years will you play the sport? 20 years, if you are very good, maybe even 25 years. Even by that yardstick, you will live the majority of your years outside the sphere of your professional sport. This clearly means that there is more to life than cricket. I am asking you, son, to keep a pleasant disposition and maintain a balanced nature. Do not allow success to breed arrogance in you. If you remain humble, people will give you love and respect even after you have finished with the game. As a parent, I would be happier hearing people say, 'Sachin is a good human being' more than 'Sachin is a great cricketer', any day."
SACHIN ON SLEDGING
Dodda Ganesh and I were batting and Alan Donald was bowling lightning-fast deliveries.When Dodda faced his onslaught fearlessly Alan started mouthing words at Dodda. On three consecutive deliveries Dodda got confused but did not lose his wicket. At the end of the over Alan went over to Dodda and let loose a string of verbal abuses. Since Dodda's face remained impassive, Alan became even more furious. I witnessed the interaction from the non-striker's end. When Alan came to fetch his cap from the umpire at the end of his over, I told him: "Alan, Dodda only knows a local language called Kannada. I find it difficult to communicate with him as well when we are batting together. So how can he understand your abuses in English? If you want to trouble him, speak to him in Kannada so that at least he will understand." This made Alan even more furious. He almost snatched his cap from the umpire and making wild gestures with his hands.
ON VINOD KAMBLI
It was around 1985, when I was about 12, that I noticed a new kid at the nets one day. His free stroke play and carefree approach to the game was a treat to behold for most of us. It was a shock for us to learn that this lad came in everyday from Kanjurmarg (a place which meant an hour long train ride each way) for practice. We marvelled at his dedication.
ON THE LEGENDARY SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP WITH KAMBLI
...On the third morning of the game, Prof Ramakant Achrekar called in to check how many wickets had fallen. On being told that Vinod and Sachin were still going strong and the innings had not been declared, he made his way to the ground. As soon as he arrived, he signalled for us to declare. Vinod, being a smart cookie, had noticed his arrival. I hadn't. Between overs, he would so engineer things that we were standing with our backs to the pavilion, making it appear that we had not seen him. Finally, an exasperated Sir yelled out, "Are you boys getting back in here, or do I have to come onto the ground and drag you out?".
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