Sachin Tendulkar is widely regarded as one of the greatest batters of all time. Fondly known as the Master Blaster, Tendulkar represented India in 200 Tests, scoring the world record number of runs (15921) and centuries (51).
While Tendulkar continues to hold the record for most ODI runs (18426 in 463 matches), his tally of hundreds (49) in the 50-over format has been bettered by compatriot Virat Kohli (53).
During his playing days, the iconic cricketer used to carry the entire nation’s weight of expectations on his shoulders. He played a crucial role in bringing many laurels to the country, including the coveted World Cup trophy in 2011.
Recently, the 52-year-old narrated how former India cricketer Gursharan Singh’s selfless act during the 1989 Irani Cup match paved his way into the national team.
Playing for Rest of India against Delhi, Tendulkar was approaching his century at the Wankhede Stadium and Gursharan’s support helped him to reach the three-figure mark. When the team was struggling at 209/9, Gursharan walked in despite fracturing his finger in the first innings and added 36 crucial runs with Tendulkar for the last wicket.
“That was my trial match for the Indian team. Gursharan wasn’t supposed to bat, but he listened to Raj Singh and came out to bat, and eventually helped me get my 100. And I got selected to play for India after that. Later, Gursharan also became a part of the Indian cricket team. I thanked him profusely there, because it was a big thing for him to come out with his broken hand. His intent, his attitude mattered the most to me. That touched my heart,” Tendulkar said while speaking at an event in Mumbai on Tuesday.
Sachin Tendulkar also revealed that during a tour of New Zealand, he promised Gursharan that he would participate in his benefit match one day after retirement. Years later, in 2005, he fulfilled the promise.
“In those days, there were benefit matches for retired cricketers. So I told him in New Zealand, ‘Gushi, someday or the other, you will retire. You can’t play for a lifetime. But the day you retire and you get a benefit match, I promise I will come and play.’ And I’m glad that I was able to play his match…” added Sachin.
“I told him, ‘Gushi, I had promised you in New Zealand (in 1990) that I will play in your benefit match, and 15 years later, now that you have decided to host the benefit match, I will definitely come and play. That’s my promise,” the former India captain said with a smile, adding: “These memories still stay with me. And today, I can proudly say, whatever I promised, I fulfilled…”
