Sachin Tendulkar – Soul that inspired a generation of young people

We know it’s always been country first for Sachin Tendulkar, yet his gesture of pointing to the Indian flag on reaching his 100th international hundred brought tears to my eyes.

I still can't come to terms with the enormity of the impact of Sachin Tendulkar's decision to bid farewell to One-Day Internationals (ODIs). It had to come some day, but never thought it would end in the way it did. One-day cricket has to grapple with an irreplaceable void. I wonder what will attract fans to the ground now when there will be no divine straight drives or effortless back-foot punches anymore. For me, ODIs are over.

That’s surprising, because my generation has grown up inspired by ODI cricket only. T20s arrived only recently. And Tendulkar was the soul of that inspiration. Everything from our stance, to the MRF sticker we pasted on the Rs 40 bat, to the follow through of our drive and the light-weight pads had his presence. As teenagers, we would watch in awe his strokes during that unbelievable 1998 season against the world's best team and try to emulate the same in local gully matches. It was an inspiration watching him battle the Desert Storm in Sharjah, when he blitzed to 98 at Centurion or the manner in which he destroyed Dale Steyn and Company to score 200. Those memories are vivid because they bought a smile on the faces of his countrymen – young and old alike; an unadulterated smile that is becoming a rarity in our lives.

We were lucky to be born in the Sachin Tendulkar Era. Lucky to have seen someone wield the willow as Sachin Tendulkar did. Lucky to have seen a sportsman as supremely talented Sachin Tendulkar is. Proud that the coming generation would only be able to read and hear a first-hand account from us of the man who was worshiped as God. I know they won't believe us when we would tell our kids that life for people from all of walks of life – in a nation of a billion strong – stood still when Sachin Tendulkar took guard.

I know the kids would dismiss some of our memories and say it’s impossible as cricket is just a game. But then, instead of arguing, we would know you had to be born in the Sachin Tendulkar Era to appreciate the fact that when the maestro was at the crease cricket, for the billions in India, was more than a game. The nation found solace while he was fighting those battles on the field, alone and mostly wounded, but never defeated.

My heart aches to think that we would not have those butterflies in the belly anymore when he steps out to open the innings, when he faces the first few balls, our hands clasped in silent prayer. It’s all over.

Thanks for the awesome memories, Sachin.

“The Making of a cricketer”

Sachin Tendulkar can unquestionably be called the 'face of modern cricket'. He follows Don Bradman and Viv Richards as his generation's most successful batsman. By the turn of the century, watching Tendulkar as India's lone warrior staging single-handed fights, - while carrying the hopes of a billion hearts, - was cricket's grandest spectacle. Tendulkar is undoubtedly India’s most loved and worshiped cricketer.
But behind every legend there is a guiding force which leads him to greatness. A support which saw him through tribulations. Someone who was responsible to show him/her the path to success.



In Sachin’s case it was his elder brother Ajit Tendulkar. The cricketer often credits his brother as the one who spotted his talent and encouraged him to pursue the sport. “Ajit has always been my guiding light in cricket. He was the one who spotted my natural ability and honed that. With his help and coaching I have developed into the cricketer that I am. I am still improving and it is still Ajit that I look to for that help," once quoted Sachin while talking about his brother.

Reportedly, the elder brother was interested in cricket himself and also played the sport during his student years. However, he left playing to mentor Sachin’s cricket career.
It is said that Ajit originally channelized Sachin’s attention to cricket to keep him away for mischief.

‘In the early 1980s, on a quiet Sunday afternoon, the Tendulkars - fans of Dev Anand— had gathered in front of the television to watch Guide. Sachin, eleven years old, saw it as a golden opportunity to raid a mango tree in front of the house with his five friends. A little later, on hearing a deafening crash, the Tendulkars rushed out and found that Sachin had fallen from one of the branches and hurt himself badly. Ajit Tendulkar, exasperated with Sachin’s mischievous ways, took him to a park the next morning and asked an elderly gentleman to take care of his “hyperactive” brother and teach him some cricket. The gentleman’s name was Ramakant Achrekar, and the venue, Shivaji Park. Unknown to Ajit, Ramakant and even Sachin, the meeting marked the beginning of the long and illustrious journey of, arguably, India’s greatest cricketer ever.’

It was elder brother Ajit who accompanied The Little Master on his cricketing tours during his formative years. He’s also helped Sachin look after his various endorsements and business interests.
Ajit has also written a book on Sachin’s cricket journey, titled “The Making of a cricketer”.
Even after all these years and all the success and accolades Sachin still discusses every aspect of the game with Ajit, who does not watch his matches.

"He does not watch my matches. I have been told by friends that he goes on a long drive alone, where there is no radio, there is nothing, and he comes back only after the match is over."
"Later, a recording is pulled out and then he and I discuss where improvements can be made in my batting and what mistakes I committed. All this discussion happens then. Because I speak to him every evening and on a daily basis we discuss what sort of preparation should be made for a match and what are the mistakes to be avoided, and this is a habit I have since school cricket and I still use this formula," revealed Sachin in a past interview.

Tendulkar's ton of tons will come in ODIs: Ganguly

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has backed Sachin Tendulkar to complete his elusive hundredth international hundred in the forthcoming five-match ODI series against England.

Tendulkar was dismissed lbw by Tim Bresnan for 91 on the final day of the fourth Test on Monday. "His dismissal (by Bresnan) proved that cricket is a one-ball game. It doesn't matter how much you have your eye in, one good ball can get you out,"

Indeed! Tendulkar had concentrated for 235 minutes in India's pursuit to draw the Test: "I know the entire nation is disappointed. A century from his blade would have at least given some respite to them since it has been a forgettable tour."

Ganguly expressed confidence that Tendulkar will score heavily in the ODIs. "I am pretty confident that his hundred will come in the one-dayers. Let's not foget Tendulkar is only human after all. He has reached 99 hundreds, so obviously he will get to the 100 mark. I cannot stop being proud of him," said Ganguly, a close friend of the Little Master.

Ganguly got nostalgic while recalling his first meeting with Tendulkar. "When I went to England for the first time with Kailash Gattani's Star Cricket Club as a teenager, Sachin was part of that team too. I observed him and had no doubts that he would blossom into a great player. It's been an incredible journey," said Ganguly, before defending Tendulkar's performance in the four Tests (273 runs from 8 innings). "In fact, he has not had a bad Test series in England. He started batting well at Lord's itself. It's just one those series when things don't click," said Dada admitting he was fortunate to have seen Tendulkar's greatest efforts first hand. "According to me, his best knocks have been Perth (1991-92), Cape Town (1996-97), Chennai (1998-99 & 2008-09) and Headingley (2002). I was fortunate to witness them from close quarters. He still has some great knocks left in him," concluded Ganguly.

Tribute to Sachin Tendulkar: Coca-Cola to roll out 6.5 million 'Sachin' cans as part of 100th century celebrations

The world's largest beverages brand plans a grand tribute to Sachin Tendulkar who is one century short of becoming the first batsman to score 100 international centuries: launch some 6.5 million special Coca-Cola cans with pictures of the master batsman.

The move will help the cola giant make the most out of its Rs 12-15-crore endorsement deal with Tendulkar signed early this year, and make up for not leveraging the association during the Cricket World Cup that India won.

Coca-Cola is printing the cricketing legend's pictures along with statistics of his select 10 centuries on about 6.5 million cans of brand Coke to celebrate Tendulkar's hundredth international century which everyone expects in England, where India will play four tests and five one-day internationals starting July 21.

The cans will be rolled out in the market starting next fortnight. This is the first time a celebrity or a brand ambassador will figure on packs of any Coke beverage in India.

"We are making an exception for one of India's great legends," says Coca-Cola India VP (Marketing) Anupama Ahluwalia. In some European markets, Coca- Cola has, in the past, printed pictures of celebrities on its beverage packs. Tendulkar has handpicked nine of the 10 centuries that Coca-Cola cans will spot.

The tenth will be his hundredth century. Coca-Cola will release about eight lakh cans with the details of Tendulkar's 100th century whenever it comes. A mass media campaign is set to coincide with the cans rollout, created by ad agency McCann Erickson. Industry experts say the idea is big and has scale, but its strategic implementation would be a key for its success.

"A Sachin campaign could be a sure-shot winner, but how well the marketer leverages the campaign, makes a consumer connect, and takes it forward is the key," says Mahesh Chauhan, co-founder of advertising and marketing firm Salt Brand Solutions.

"But they (Coca- Cola) are probably a bit late in leveraging their association with Sachin, considering they signed him early in the year, though it must be part a planned strategy," he added, referring to the missed opportunity during India's successful world cup campaign.

Sachin, who is known to charge about a million dollars per year per deal, endorses close to 13-14 brands including sports footwear and apparel maker Adidas, luxury Swiss watch maker Audemars Piguet, insurance services firm Aviva Life Insurance, bank Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and appliances major Toshiba.


These brands too are looking to leverage their association with the cricketer once he cracks his 100th century.

Though firms do leverage associations with celebrities through packaging, this is the first time it is being done on a mass scale. PepsiCo, for example, had rolled out PET bottles with blue packaging with Indian team skipper MS Dhoni's body during the World Cup.

World Cup dream comes true for SachinTendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar failed with the bat but still ended a World Cup-winner for the first time on Saturday as India defeated Sri Lanka by six wickets in the final.

Many fans in a capacity 33,000 crowd had piled into the Wankhede Stadium hoping to see the 37-year-old Tendulkar, on his home ground, score his hundredth international hundred.

But instead the star batsman, bidding to fulfil a lifelong ambition by winning the World Cup at his sixth — and in all likelihood last — attempt, was dismissed for just 18.

Tendulkar walked off to the kind of standing ovation usually reserved for batsmen who've scored far more than 18, in what was a recognition of his previous great deeds rather than this innings.

Tendulkar later said he could not hold back his tears. “I couldn't have asked for more,” said Tendulkar, as his teammates carried him on their shoulders for a victory lap before adoring fans at the Wankhede Satdium.

“Winning the World Cup is the ultimate thing. It is the proudest moment of my life. It shows it is never too late,” he said referrring to India's wait for 28 years for the coveted crown. “I thank my teammates who were fabulous. I could not really hold back my tears. These are happy tears so I don't mind crying.”

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said Tendulkar was “made by God just to play cricket”. “When God made Tendulkar, he made him just to play cricket,” Dhoni said.

“From the very first ball he ever faced on the international scene, he has looked at giving his 100 per cent. Players have come and players have gone, but Tendulkar has just grown from strength to strength.”

Asked what set Tendulkar apart, Dhoni replied: “It definitely has to be his level of dedication towards the game and the intensity with which he has played for the last 21 years.

“Even today, he takes every training session seriously. He would much rather not turn up for training than joke around once on the ground. He doesn't leave anything for tomorrow.”

The captain jokingly added: “We are blessed that he is a genius.

Tendulkar won't stop - Kirsten

After winning the World Cup, Sachin Tendulkar said he had achieved the one thing he had dreamt about when he started playing cricket. But he may not hang up his boots just yet. When asked about his retirement, Tendulkar deflected the question initially, before saying he saw no reason to change things as he was still enjoying the game.

"This is a moment to celebrate, not one to think about my future," Tendulkar told the ICC. "This is the reason I started playing cricket; to do something for the country. The process has been a long one, and I am still enjoying my game, so I don't see the reason to change anything."

Gary Kirsten, for whom the World Cup final was his last game as coach of India, also said he didn't think Tendulkar would stop here. "Sachin is the greatest sporting role model I've met in my life," Kirsten said. "He's had an incredible last three or four years, and he's enjoying his cricket even more. I don't think he is going to stop."

Tendulkar has had to wait till his sixth World Cup campaign to win the trophy, and when asked whether this was the final accolade he needed to complete his closet-full of achievements, he said it was in fact the first thing he wanted to achieve.

"As a young boy I dreamt of winning this trophy; that's where it all started. This is by far the best moment and it's the one I've been waiting for for 24 years. There have been heart-breaking losses; in past campaigns we lost in the semi-finals and finals. I never gave up because this was my dream and now the team has managed to win this cup for the nation."

After their victory on Saturday, the Indian team spent the night celebrating with their families and friends before going to Raj Bhavan on Sunday to meet the Indian president. But what Tendulkar is looking forward to is sharing the experience with the Indian public.

"The victory hasn't sunk in yet because I haven't faced the general crowd outside. I've just mingled around with my friends and family. We've been in a close unit behind a wall of security. We haven't had a chance to experience or share our joy with everyone else. That's a reaction I'm really looking forward to because I can imagine what it would be like. All I've seen is their reactions on the news channels and it's absolutely fascinating."

Unplugging the genius called Sachin

So much has been written about Sachin Tendulkar the cricketer and Sachin Tendulkar the human being that it’s almost impossible to come up with a novel venture.

Distinguished sportswriter Suresh Menon has found a way out, putting together a series of essays on the Little Master -- the editor himself has penned one of them -- by distinguished sportswriters and two of his former skippers.

‘Sachin -- Genius Unplugged’, a work of art and passion, was launched in the City on Wednesday afternoon, Rahul Dravid releasing the first copy and handing it over to Anil Kumble. It was in the fitness of things that the two Karnataka gentlemen, who have both played under and led Tendulkar, should be so initimately involved, not only because both have eulogised the Mumbaikar in print but also because each of them has played more than 100 Tests alongside Tendulkar.

“I haven’t had the time to read this book fully, but the wide range of writers who have contributed is a reflection of the respect Suresh has among his writing colleagues,” Dravid remarked.

“It is not easy to write about Sachin, about whom so much is already written. I am sure this book will inspire a lot of youngsters, especially young cricketers.”

Including Menon and the two former Indian skippers, 16 writers have given expression to their impressions of the 37-year-old, among them Bishan Singh Bedi, Sanjay Manjrekar, Peter Roebuck and Mike Marqusee of ‘War Minus The Shooting’ fame, with the foreword coming from Muttiah Muralitharan.

“I was fortunate to be at Old Trafford when Sachin scored his first Test century,” Kumble said of his great mate, with whom he has a wonderful relationship based on mutual respect and admiration. “Superstition is rife in cricket. I was on the dressing room balcony and Kiran More told me, `Sachin is batting well, so you better keep standing’. I stood all the while, getting a small break for tea, and I stood all along till he scored his century and the match was saved!

“I was a bit envious of Sachin -- he would just roll his arm over and bowl a perfect leg-break or a googly while I was struggling to turn the ball! It was an honour to play alongside Sachin for more than 100 Tests. For 21 years, he has played with the same passion and intensity because he still enjoys the game. That’s a good lesson for youngsters.”

Priced at Rs 599, the book will hit retail stores on February 14.

Madhya Pradesh CM inaugurates road named after Tendulkar

A new 3.55 km long road, named after iconic batsman Sachin Tendulkar, has been inaugurated by Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan here.

The four-lane road constructed at a cost of Rs 2.89 crore from the Madhya Pradesh high court's Gwalior bench to Huravli village was named after Tendulkar to mark his historic double century feat in the one-day international.

Tendulkar became the first ever cricketer to score a double century in history of ODI cricket after his amazing innings against South Africa in the second ODI played on February 24 last year in the city.

Chouhan inaugurated the road yesterday on the occasion of Republic Day.

Sachin never treated the game as source of income: Ranatunga

The glamour and glitz of Twenty20 has had its adverse affect on Test cricket and only someone of Sachin Tendulkar's stature can help restore the waning popularity of the traditional form of the game, feels former Sri Lankan captain Arjuna Ranatunga.

The Lankan captain lavished praise on Sachin for not treating the game as a source of income.

"Sachin is an iconic figure. We need cricketers like him to save Test cricket. As long as Sachin is playing, I am sure Test cricket is safe," Rantunga said from Colombo while congratulating the champion batsman on his 50th Test century.

"He has been playing for more than 20 years now. I think he is a rare cricketer who does not consider cricket as a source of income. This is the secret of his longevity and phenomenal success as well," the cricketer turned politician said.

The skipper of the 1996 World cup winning Lankan team also believes that some of the greatest attributes of Sachin like dedication, commitment and passion for the game is lacking in cricketers of modern era.

"Sachin has sacrificed a lot to reach the pinnacle. He has sacrificed playing T20 international cricket which is all about money and glamour.

"I have not seen Sir Don playing but Sachin is the best batman in modern era. It is not fair to compare two legends of different generation. Bradman was the best in his era and Sachin is the best in his era," said Ranatunga.

Rantunga also dismissed criticism that Sachin hasn't been a match-winner or a finisher of the game.

"I don't endorse these kind of media generated arguments. This man has scored so many runs, centuries and has played several crucial knocks. What else do you expect from him?" said the burly former Lankan captain.

He feels that it was privilege to compete with Sachin for more than a decade.

"Sachin is very humble. A real gentleman. He is very down to earth despite his stupendous achievements. I consider myself fortunate that I have played enough cricket against him," said Ranatunga who had retired after the 1999 World Cup.

Ranatunga feels that it's entirely upto Sachin as to how long he wants to continue playing.

"It is upto him as to how long he wants to play. As far as I am concerned, we are fortunate that we can watch him bat. Once he retires, the cricket fraternity will need him even more as he will remain the biggest ambassador of the game," Ranatunga concluded.

None can come anywhere close to Sachin's record: Richards

Sachin Tendulkar's career longevity and his remarkable achievements make him a class apart, according to the legendary Sir Vivian Richards who reckons that the Indian maestro has set benchmarks that no other contemporary cricketer can come anywhere close to.

Richards said Tendulkar has survived for so long in international cricket because of his "amazing dedication" and it was only a matter of time when he scripts history by becoming the first cricketer to score 50 Test centuries.

"He can certainly achieve that (scoring 50 Test centuries). I think the way the games are going at present, it would be very difficult for anyone to break that record. He is way ahead of others," Richards said in an interview here today.

Richards, one of the most destructive batsman of his era, said only Australian captain Ricky Ponting had a slim chance of coming anywhere near Tendulkar's records among contemporary cricketers.

"I can't see any individual, the closest guy who would come to that may be Ricky (Ponting). But the way things are going on in Australia, they are calling for his head, so I don't know really know how long he will be around. He is the only individual I think who could be close to Sachin's record. But I think it would be hard to surpass," he said.

The West Indian batting great attributed Tendulkar's longevity to the way he has conducted himself right through his career and his discipline among other things.

"Tendulkar is 37, still going great. It's all about how you have conducted yourself. I guess there were times when it looked pretty doubtful with injuries, starting with the back, would have most certainly affected his career but it's due to persistence, dedication, discipline and confidence that you survive for so long," he explained.

Sachin still gets nervous before a match: Anjali Tendulkar

Whenever cricketer Sachin Tendulkar has a big match coming up, there are two scenes that gets played out, almost like a routine, at the Tendulkar household — a tense Sachin the night before the match, and a tense wife Anjali on the day of the match.

“He (Sachin) still gets tense before every match after so many years, he won’t eat properly, and gets up early in the morning on the day of the match. I think he performs best that way. It is a kind of a process, so I never try to console or relax him before a match,” says the reclusive Anjali Tendulkar

When the whole nation is agog as Sachin enters the crease, Anjali says that she’s busy switching off her cell phone. “When Sachin is batting, I just switch off entirely. There are no phone calls for me or leaving the television set. I even try not to take food breaks or water breaks as long as possible,” adds Anjali. But why before the television set? Isn’t she supposed to be in the stadium? “I prefer not to watch him live. Television is better,” she says, indicating the huge pressure that builds up inside her head.

Anjali admits that Sachin is very particular about his practice that he think twice about stepping out for it even on a hot Mumbai afternoon. “When I ask him as to why he’s going for practice in the heat, he says, ‘I have a match to play and I need to practice at this time’.”

Anjali reveals that Sachin is foodie too, but indulges in it once in a while. Anjali admits candidly that she’s not a great cook. “He is a foodie. But I’m not that great a cook like his mom, my mom and our cook. They are allfabulous, so there’s no complains about that. He indulges himself once in a while (on food), but always makes sure to work out the next day,” she adds.

Anjali Tendulkar expresses happiness over Sachin's double century against Australia

Anjali Tendulkar, wife of master blaster Sachin Tendulkar, expressed happiness over Sachin's phenomenal performance in 2-0 series win over Australia.

India defeated Australia by seven wickets to sweep the two-match Test series 2-0 and consolidate their world number one status in the International Cricket Council (ICC) test rankings.

Master-blaster Tendulkar was awarded the Man-of the-match and Man-of-the-Series trophies for the test series. He scored 214 in the first innings and 53 in the second innings in the Bangalore Test match.

Speaking on the occasion of a book release here on Wednesday, Anjali said that like any other countrymen she was equally thrilled to see India beating Australia 2-0 in the test series.

"Obviously, like any other Indian I am thrilled. I know for Sachin, winning is very important but beating Australia in India, that too by 2-0 is a very important thing. I am thrilled for him and for the whole India," said Anjali.

She further added that the 53 runs scored by Sachin in the second innings of the match was also crucial.

"I am always excited. Whatever Sachin does, I am very excited. If he makes a double century I am all the more excited and if it is against Australia I am very excited. For me whatever he does I am very happy. Today, according to me his 53 was also very important, so I feel equally happy with that as long as we win," said Anjali.

Tendulkar best cricketer in world: Ganguly

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly on Saturday said Sachin Tendulkar is the best cricketer in the world.

Having played together for years till he retired from international cricket, Ganguly said: "I haven't seen Sir Donald Bradman playing, but I have seen Sachin. To me, he himself is a milestone, and the best cricketer in the world."

The Bengal ace said Tendulkar, who has been bestowed with the the ICC Cricketer of the Year, is the role model for many.

"He is 37 now and is still going strong. He has proved that performance is the last word in cricket," Ganguly said.

The Big Three of Indian cricket - Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman - are difficult to replace.

"After they retire, the gap can be filled in. But it would be difficult to replace them. These players are a class apart," he said.

Ponting should look to Tendulkar - Taylor

Ricky Ponting should seek inspiration from Sachin Tendulkar's batting renaissance, according to the former captain of Australia, Mark Taylor. Tendulkar and Ponting are the two leading run scorers in Test history and they will be key men in the upcoming two-Test series in India.

But whereas Tendulkar, 37, has shone over the past year with six Test hundreds and an average of 81.84, it hasn't been as easy for Ponting, 35, who has scored one century and averaged 40.05. Taylor, who endured a memorable lean period during his final years of Test cricket, said life would not get any easier for Ponting.

"He is not getting any better," Taylor told DNA. "He may no longer be the batsman he was in his late 20s but he is still a very good batsman. Honestly, Ponting's best is behind him but he is still capable of scoring big hundreds."

Ponting's form is not unlike that of Tendulkar during 2006 and 2007; during those years Tendulkar averaged 41.72 with two centuries in 17 Tests. Taylor said he was impressed by Tendulkar's return to form, which has also included the first double-century in one-day internationals.

"I think Sachin has had a rebirth," Taylor said. "He is really batting at his best and that can be a sort of inspiration for Ponting. It might be difficult for him to overhaul Sachin's number of centuries because the Indian master is lengthening the gap between them.

"But Ponting has this job of rebuilding the Australian side. The current Australian side is very much his. Seniors like Adam Gilchrist, Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, Matthew Hayden have all gone. It is a much younger side.

"I think Ponting's focus has moved a little bit away from his personal milestones. In that sense, Sachin is fortunate. He does not have to worry about captaincy. That is probably the reason why he is making hundreds."

"Ponting's is a young Australian side which plays very good cricket but is not consistent," he said. "I'm sure Ponting would be working on this area to reduce the number of bad sessions. They tend to lose five or six wickets in a session when they could do well by losing just two or three."

ICC awards don't matter if you are Tendulkar: Yuvraj

Sachin Tendulkar's greatness cannot be measured by the number of awards he has won in his career, feels Yuvraj Singh.

Despite scaling almost every cricketing records, Tendulkar has never won any ICC award, but Yuvraj said, "It doesn't make any difference because he is Sachin Tendulkar".

"Whether he has won any ICC award or not it doesn't matter, because Sachin Tendulkar is Sachin Tendulkar, and there is no comparison," the dashing left-hander said.

The iconic batsman from Mumbai has been short-listed for the ICC Cricketer of the Year award and will be hoping to break the jinx on October 6 at the ICC awards night in Bangalore. Tendulkar is also in running for both the Test and ODI Player of the Year awards.

Asked about the series against the Aussies, Yuvraj said "like any India-Australia series it will be competitive again".

" India is the No. 1 Test team in the world and Australia is also not far behind. Both teams have players who have played a lot of competitive cricket, so it should be very competitive," Yuvraj said.

While the selection committee blamed Yuvraj's fitness and form for failing to find a berth in the Test squad, the Punjab batsman reiterated that he is "totally fit but there have been lots of issues over my fitness".

Sachin a great motivator for all of us: Harbhajan

When it comes to taking inspiration, Sachin Tendulkar is the only name that comes to off-spinner Harbhajan Singh’s mind.

Harbhajan says he was amazed to see the deep passion with which Sachin still approaches the game even after 20 successful years in international cricket and considers himself lucky to have played under the leadership of the legendary batsman.

“Sachin, to me he’s not 37, he still looks 25. The way he bats, the way he runs around and the way he does all the work or whatever that is required to be there where he’s today and I think he is tremendous,” Harbhajan said.

“He’s god of not just Indian cricket, he’s god of (world) cricket and he’s just someone who’s always there for you.

Obviously it is great to have him as a leader of Mumbai Indians and he’s been a great motivator for all of us.

He has been a great role model for all of us,” he added.

Harbhajan also do not have any hesitation in admitting that Sachin played an important role in their final appearance in the third edition of the IPL earlier this year.

“I think he played a lot of good innings during the IPL III and if I have to pick one innings, it would be that knock against Rajasthan (Royals) in Jaipur. That was fantastic and set up the game for us in the last three overs,” Harbhajan told ESPN.

“I think he scored about 50 odd runs in the last three overs after we were just 110 in the 17th over. That’s where he changed the game. Scoring, I think 15-20 runs, in an over that was the best I have seen of him in IPL III, that was my favourite innings,” he added.

Harbhajan said that the Mumbai Indians players were gearing up to put their best foot forward in the Champions League T20 in South Africa.

“Our team is very excited about this competition in South Africa because this is a tournament in which we would like to play well. We are very happy that we have qualified for this tournament and we are up for it.

“I’m sure it is going to be very challenging and very tough out there but I’m sure we have got players who can play in any kind of condition and take on any kind of challenges. We are really up for and looking forward to this event to begin,” he said.

Indian Air Force honours Sachin

Sachin Tendulkar was on Friday conferred with the Indian Air Force’s honorary rank of Group Captain to honour his cricketing achievements and contribution to the nation.

Tendulkar is the first sportsperson to be conferred a rank by IAF and the first personality with no aviation background to receive the honour.

In 2008, Kapil Dev had received the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel of the Territorial Army.

Tendulkar was inducted into the Air Force as its brand ambassador with IAF chief Air Chief Marshal P V Naik doing the honours in a glittering ceremony at the Air Force auditorium here.

“It’s a great pleasure and honour to be honoured by IAF. It was a wishful thinking and it has come true today. I’m extremely proud to be a part of IAF. I want to urge the youth to join Air Force and serve the nation. So dream, because dreams do come true,” Tendulkar said after receiving the honour.

Earlier, President Pratibha Patil had conferred the honorary rank of the IAF on the iconic batsman on June 23 this year.

The rank was conferred on Tendulkar under the provision of granting honorary rank by Armed Forces to eminent personalities acknowledging their contribution towards the nation.

The IAF had, in January this year, mooted a proposal to confer the honorary rank of Group Captain on Tendulkar.

IAF feels that besides the recognition, his association with it would motivate the younger generation to join the Air Force to serve the country.

Mr. Naik said the batting legend’s association with IAF will help in making the youth aware about the Air Force.

“Youth admires him (Tendulkar). I think the youth will get inclined towards the Air Force. What youth will do in future we can’t say but the indications that we are getting from school students ... we are hopeful.

“To take corrective measures in reforming the IAF is my duty and Sachin’s association will help in spreading awareness (about the Air Force),” Mr. Naik said.

Before being felicitated with the honorary rank, Sachin had gone through a process of familiarisation with the IAF and training in basic military practices and drills.

Sachin Tendulkar becomes most-capped Test cricketer

Milestone man Sachin Tendulkar on Tuesday (03 Aug 2010) became the most-capped Test cricketer in the world after taking field for his 169th match, the third and final of the ongoing series against Sri Lanka, in Colombo. The 37-year-old champion batsman, who holds almost every batting record, overtook former Australian captain Steve Waugh with whom he was tied at 168 matches after the second Test at SSC here.

Tendulkar, who has been around for two decades now, has also played 442 one-day internationals, just a couple of matches less than Sri Lankan Sanath Jayasuriya's record of 444.

Tendulkar has scored 13,742 runs in 168 Tests at an average of 56.08, notching up 48 hundreds and 55 half-centuries in the process.

He has 17,598 runs, including 46 centuries, in his 442 one-dayers. The Mumbaikar also holds the distinction of being the first batsman to score a double hundred in ODIs.

But despite these astonishing feats, Tendulkar remains hungry for more runs and after getting his fifth Test double hundred in the second Test against Sri Lanka, the diminutive batsman urged critics to stop talking about his age.

Most capped Test players after Sachin Tendulkar:

168 - Steve Waugh (AUS) - retired
156 - Allan Border (AUS) - retired
146 - Ricky Ponting (AUS)
145 - Shane Warne (AUS) - retired
141 - Rahul Dravid (IND)
140 - Jacques Kallis (RSA)
134 - Mark Boucher (RSA).

What makes Sachin Tendulkar the legend!

Sachin Tendulkar is not only a great player but also he is an institute of cricket.some may say him master blaster,some may say little genius,some may say india's pride&some may say him God.

These are just a few nicknames of the legend mating maestro but Have you ever thought what made him such a player?!!here is one of many inspiring stories of Sachin Tendulkar.

Tendulkar was 12 or13 years old when he led mumbai under 15 team to ahmedabad.The boys went off to sleep after getting there at around 4:30 in the morning.At 6:00am officials learnt that sachin was missing.

The team manager& coach went searching for him &finally found him on the terrace-practising!!he was bouncing the ball of the wall with his left hand and then quickly gripping his bat with his both hands to practise his shots.sleep was not important practice was.And such was his concentration that he failed to notice the presence of the two officials.This was just one of many.It shows how much he is hungry for runs&how much he hate failure.

some may think that it was his initial stage of his career that's why he might be worried of failuer.But those who think that might have forgotten the battle between two great sachin tendulkar Vs Shane warne.

Every one knows how sachin practised to face shane warne coming round the wickets. That practised brought a new shot in cricket world.which was not played
offen."Paddle Swipe" he used it very effectively along with those "charging down strokes" &spinning legend was helpless in that battle.

These are examples how he prepares before the match.how he read the minds of the bowlers &how much competitive he is!!!

"Sachin Tendulkar is god giffted"It is true but there is more of hardwork&decipline which made him A Legend.A True Legend!!!!

Sachin's focus made him more successful: Imran Khan

In 1989, there was a void in India's public imagination after the departure of Sunil Gavaskar two years before that. It was only fitting that
another youngster from his own city Mumbai, should fill that void.

My first memories of the debut-making Sachin Tendulkar are of him taking a blow early in his innings, and saw glimpses of his talent in the Tests but more in a charity game where he took on Abdul Qadir in a benefit game.

Today, at a time when Twenty20 creates stars in a matter of three hours, it is very difficult to gauge a cricketer's true merit. I have always said that Test cricket is the best test of a cricketer's mettle, and Sachin has been a very major figure in the last two decades of Test cricket.

There are many who rue the fact that Sachin stopped playing his uninhibited strokeful knocks about a decade ago. I personally felt that the later, more mature Sachin had more to offer. It is also notable that he became a little more watchful and less impetuous because he saw there were younger players like Virender Sehwag to don the mantle of aggressor.

Today, Sachin seems to be completely in charge of his game and can switch gears almost at will. He can be explosive at times, and he can construct an innings if he has the time. It is this intelligence and thought that has helped Sachin stay focused on his batting.

It is not a case of talent alone, because mere ability no matter how prodigious does not sustain itself long if temperament and hunger is lacking. I have seen far too many talented cricketers not achieve what they could because they lacked the temperament.

If there is one area in which Sachin is ahead of his contemporaries, it is focus. Inzamam-ul Haq was possibly even more gifted, but Sachin was more successful due to his commitment and focus.

I would imagine that he will be around for the World Cup in 2011, and the Indians would hope that they see one last flourish from him.