In a captivating revelation, former Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar shared his cherished memories of conversations with the iconic Don Bradman, highlighting the profound impact the Australian batsman had on his cricketing philosophy. During an interview with The Telegraph, Tendulkar recounted their discussions on the art of batting, where they delved into the nuances of reading a bowler's wrist position and the spin of the ball.
Bradman, widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in the history of cricket, once expressed admiration for Tendulkar’s technique. In 1996, he remarked, "I was very, very struck by his technique. I asked my wife to come and have a look at him. Because, I said, 'I never saw myself play. But I feel this fellow is playing much the same as I used to.' It was just his compactness, his stroke production, his technique. It all seemed to gel." This acknowledgment from Bradman, who averaged an astonishing 99.94 in Test cricket, served as a significant milestone in Tendulkar's illustrious career.
Reflecting on their memorable meeting at Bradman's 90th birthday, Tendulkar remembered how they discussed the subtleties of batting. "We discussed batting. How good batters could read the ball by looking at the bowler's wrist position and also see which way the ball is spinning in the air and hence could read the delivery as soon as it was released," he stated.
Tendulkar also opened up about his encounters with another cricketing great, Shane Warne, who is revered as one of the finest spin bowlers in the sport's history. Tendulkar's approach against Warne was strategic; he emphasized the importance of patience. “There were very few spinners in world cricket against whom hitting the ball on the rise consistently was not a wise option – Warnie was one of them. Hence my approach against him was to wait for the ball to spin and play as late as possible. I would also mostly go inside-out and play with the spin,” Tendulkar explained.
Shane Warne, who sadly passed away at the age of 52, took 708 wickets in 145 Test matches and played a pivotal role in Australia’s cricketing dominance during the late 1990s and early 2000s. Tendulkar’s ability to adapt to Warne’s bowling was evident in his impressive average of 107.33 against the legendary spinner in Tests.
As the conversation shifted to Tendulkar's own remarkable career, he proudly holds the record for the most runs in international cricket, accumulating an astonishing total of 34,357 runs across 664 matches. His statistics include 18,426 runs in One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and 15,921 runs in Test matches, complemented by a remarkable tally of 100 centuries and 154 half-centuries. His contributions to the sport earned him the prestigious Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, following a celebrated 24-year career from 1989 to 2013.
Delving deeper into his formative years, Tendulkar reminisced about his childhood, which was marked by relentless practice and dedication. He would travel from Bandra East to Shivaji Park, taking bus number 315 to hone his skills. Under the guidance of coach Ramakant Achrekar, Tendulkar played an astonishing 55 games in just 60 days one summer, often practicing for two hours in the nets at 7:30 AM and again for another two hours at 5 PM.
At the tender age of 11, Tendulkar first met Achrekar, who would play a crucial role in shaping his cricketing journey. Achrekar’s rigorous training methods included placing a one-rupee coin above the middle stump, which Tendulkar could keep if he managed to bat without getting out during practice. This exercise helped instill a sense of focus and concentration in the young cricketer.
One of the defining moments in Tendulkar's early career came during the Harris Shield, an annual inter-school tournament, in February 1988. At just 14 years old, he scored 326 not out in a semi-final against St. Xavier’s, partnering with Vinod Kambli, who scored 349 not out. This remarkable display of batting prowess led their team to declare at a staggering 748 for two. Over the course of the tournament, Tendulkar's scores included 207 not out, 326 not out, and 346 not out, establishing him as a prodigious talent.
As Tendulkar grew into a cricketing icon, he became acutely aware of the expectations placed upon him. Reflecting on this pressure, he stated, “I was aware of the expectations but did not consciously think of it. I have always believed that people should expect something of you. I enjoyed the fact that people had some expectations of me.” He credited his family for helping him maintain a balance between his cricketing career and personal life, ensuring he never lost touch with reality.
Despite the immense pressure, Tendulkar thrived, particularly against fast bowling on international pitches. “I have always enjoyed batting on pitches that had pace and bounce. I also used my height to my advantage as I focused a lot on picking the length of a delivery,” he noted. This adaptability showcased his skill in navigating various bowling styles and conditions.
One of the most memorable innings of Tendulkar's career came on November 26, 2008, amidst the backdrop of a horrific wave of terrorist attacks in Mumbai. Just two weeks later, India faced England in Chennai, where Tendulkar played a pivotal role in a historic chase. With India needing 387 runs to win, Tendulkar's innings was marked by his exquisite stroke play and tactical acumen, culminating in a defining hundred that solidified his legacy.
As he concluded his reflections, Tendulkar emphasized the importance of focusing on the next match rather than dwelling on past performances. “Let everyone speak about the last game while we focus on the next one,” he remarked, embodying the spirit of a true sportsman. With a career spanning over two decades, Sachin Tendulkar remains an enduring symbol of excellence in cricket, inspiring generations of players and fans alike.
