Sachin Tendulkar is widely regarded as India's greatest ever batter.
In a career spanning 24 years, Tendulkar played 200 Tests and 463 ODIs for India, scoring the world record number of runs (15921 in Tests and 18426 in ODIs) and centuries (51 in Tests and 49 in ODIs).
Sachin also holds the record for being the first man to score 10,000 runs in ODI cricket, first batter to score 100 international centuries, first male cricketer to score a double ton in ODIs, most matches played in both formats and other numerous milestones.
Besides, Tendulkar was also a sharp cricketing mind who was always willing to help his teammates. No wonder, former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh considers him a life coach.
“When I played international cricket, we had coaches but if I faced any technical issues with my batting, he was my ‘go-to’ person. He provided solutions but he wasn’t just my cricketing idol,” Yuvraj told PTI ahead of Sachin’s 50th birthday.
“Beyond 22 yards also, he is like a guardian angel for me. Whenever I have faced any personal crisis or dilemma in life, ‘Paaji’ would be one of the first persons that I would dial. And he would always have the best life lessons and advice for me,” he added.
Yuvraj recalled how concerned Tendulkar was when he was having sleepless nights and regularly coughing and vomiting during the triumphant 2011 World Cup campaign.
“Even I didn’t know it was cancer. Sachin would regularly check on me and also during my treatment in the US, he was always concerned about my recovery.”
Yuvraj also recounted meeting Tendulkar for the first time. “I think Sachin had then just started playing for India and had become a sensation. It was Kapil ‘paaji’, who took me to Sachin and I shook hands with him for the first time.”
Talking about his favourite on-field partnership with Tendulkar, Yuvraj said: “If you look back at the scorebook, Sachin and I haven’t had too many long partnerships in ODI cricket as he generally opened and I batted at No 6 for better part of my career.”
“But in Test cricket, we had a 150-plus stand against England in Chennai back in December, 2008. We were chasing 387 and won the game during late afternoon. Sachin scored a hundred and I got 80-odd (85).
“But that Test remains special as it was the first match after 26/11 terrorist attack in Mumbai. The country was coping with the tragedy and we were all very emotional and overwhelmed with so many innocent lives lost. And that Test happened within a fortnight.
“For Sachin, coming from Mumbai, it was even more deep and personal. That partnership on the fifth day and to chase a near-400 target will remain special. I was so ecstatic that I lifted Sachin once the chase was complete,” he added.
When asked about ODIs, Yuvraj mentioned his 138-run partnership off only 16.4 overs against a New Zealand attack featuring Tim Southee, Kyle Mills and Jacob Oram.
“We talk about the two knocks in Sharjah and the 98-run innings at Centurion which I believe was his best ODI knock.
“But one innings close to my heart would be his 163 at Christchurch in 2009 and he could have easily gotten a double hundred that day but was retired hurt. I also got 80-plus (87) and I think we both at one stage scored 72 off five overs. This hundred isn’t much talked about but it was an effort worth remembering.”
Yuvraj also had a message for Sachin Tendulkar, who will be celebrating his 50th birthday on Tuesday (April 24).
“Obviously long and healthy life and keeping us entertained. But on his 50th birthday, I just want to challenge him to beat me in a game of golf,” he concluded.
(With PTI Inputs)