People look at Sachin Tendulkar from different angles and admire/revere him for different reasons.
For cricket fans he is God, next only to Don Bradman, who climbed every mountain and created an Everest of 200 Tests and 100 international centuries, which no one is likely to reach.
For the aam Indian, SRT is India's most loved citizen, one of only a few Bharat Ratnas. He is a national hero, who stands for excellence, focus, commitment and high achievement. And what is astonishing, despite crazy adulation (Sachiiiiin Sachiiiin! chants), SRT has remained disarmingly modest and humble.
For fellow cricketers and colleagues Sachin is Paaji, a caring, helpful elder brother, to whom you reach out for help .
The common thread in all this is – Tendulkar is special and unique, a colossal God-gifted freak of nature. Even as a child, Sachin’s cricketing skills were there for all to see and he arrived pre-programmed for success.
Always mature beyond his years, it was no surprise when Sachin – at the age of 16 – fast tracked from school to international cricket, leapfrogging Ranji and Duleep Trophies.
Exceptional Poise and Composure
Over the years, as I watched and interacted with Sachin I was struck by his exceptional poise and composure – the remarkable ability to remain calm, collected and unruffled. As a private person he would detach himself from the noise and clutter of celebrity that surrounded him. As a professional cricketer his focus was fierce and unshakeable. Sachin's commitment was such that he was devoted, not just driven, to his craft and career.
In 1992, during India’s tour of South Africa, a young Sachin surprised Ali Bacher (former Test cricketer and an administrator of the United Cricket Board of South Africa), who marvelled at the poise of someone so young. He is special, said Bacher, watching Tendulkar handle a mob of aggressive television journalists with the practiced ease of a seasoned professional.
More telling insights about Tendulkar came on a subsequent trip to South Africa, the 2003 World Cup. Initially, India's campaign was a disaster and bad losses led to an angry backlash, with disappointed fans accusing players of not trying hard enough. As the situation became ugly, with player effigies being burnt and houses attacked, Sachin issued a straight-from-the-heart statement (from Harare, after the Zimbabwe game), assuring fans that the team would do everything possible to meet their trust. This sincere appeal had a calming influence and sanity returned.
The highlight of 2003 of course was the Pakistan game at Centurion, famous for Sachin thrashing Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, and helping India clinch an epic win. He returned to the pavilion after a superb innings with India still short of the target.
Totally drained, he sat with his pads on, eyes wet with emotion, disappointed that he did not finish the job. Later, with celebrations in full swing, he said his wife called to say it was Diwali in Bombay with people bursting crackers outside their house.
F1 Fan and Missing Out on 200
In England, one saw a different side of Sachin – an F1 follower and a fan of Michael Schumacher. Invited to meet Schumacher at Silverstone in 2002, Sachin was as excited as a youngster looking forward to a date with his hero. Apparently, the two champs bonded over dinner and exchanged notes on beating the competition, handling pressure and staying ahead of others.
The historic 2004 tour to Pakistan was memorable for reasons more than one. India won a fantastic series, Sehwag smashed a triple century and who can forget the intense drama of the Multan declaration which left Sachin stranded short of a double hundred.
That day, as the Indian team went in to field before close of play, a grim faced Sachin remained in the spacious visitors dressing room, clearly unhappy at the turn of events. He sat there, alone, as teammates and support staff thought it is prudent to stay out of his way. Eventually, after a tense period, he collected himself and joined the team in the middle for the final overs before stumps.
By the force of his achievements, and the power of personality, Sachin evokes deep respect from fans, colleagues and competitors. I have seen top celebrities, leading politicians (prime ministers and presidents) and film stars behaving like common fans, pushing themselves to shake his hand and get his autograph and click a selfie.
During a World Cup game at Paarl in 2003, the Holland team's main objective was to get photographed with Sachin. Even otherwise, it was common for well established international players to constantly request him for souvenirs, a cap or a batting glove.
Respect For Sachin In The Dressing Room
Sachin is deservingly treated with respect, even deference. In the team bus his seat was fixed – first row on the left, next to the window. In team meetings, the captain and coach always sought his views, and everyone listened with rapt attention when the master spoke. In the dressing room, others would wait for Sachin to choose his favourite corner before unpacking their kitbags.
While some were intimidated by his imposing personality, Sachin Paaji is a friendly, fun -loving person who understands music, cars, clothes and cuisine.
Many celebrities struggle to handle success and failure but Sachin has no such challenges. His is a strange case where success discovered him, and established a partnership that has endured. Success for Sachin is both a friend and an ally, they understand each other perfectly.
Sachin uses it to promote socially relevant causes such as hygiene, girl child and Unicef. Sachin, a down-to-earth celebrity who never throws his weight around, puts his clout and weight behind initiatives that promote common good.
Sachin has always thanked family, friends and fans for his good fortune and fame. He genuinely believes that prayer and goodwill played a role in his career and shaped his destiny.
His upcoming biopic traces his inspiring journey and is also a tribute to India and fans of Indian cricket. It is not merely a story or recap of a hero's amazing accomplishments – it’s an inspiring message to youngsters to dream big and chase excellence!
(Amrit Mathur is a senior journalist, former GM of the BCCI and Manager of the Indian Cricket Team. He can be reached at @AmritMathur1)
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