"One man, millions of memories", is one of the best ways to describe the Little Master, Sachin Tendulkar. Today, on April 24, he turns 47 and the nation can't stop talking about it. An inspiration to many people out there, this man needs no introduction. People like and worship him not just for his cricketing mastermind but also for the person he is.
In his autobiography, ‘Playing it my way’ he had said, "If you remain humble, people will give you love and respect even after you have finished with the game. As a parent, I would be happier hearing people say, “Sachin is a good human being” than “Sachin is a great cricketer” any day."
Social Media is filled with birthday wishes, the whole nation and the sporting world are wishing him. His videos and achievements are doing rounds on the internet. On this occasion, here are some interesting lesser-known facts about the God of Cricket.
1. Tendulkar played for Pakistan before India:
In 1987, During an exhibition match between India and Pakistan, Sachin was sent as a substitute fielder for Imran Khan's team. He was there on the field for about 25 minutes.
Sachin relieves this memory quoting in his autobiography “I don’t know whether Imran Khan remembers this or has any idea that I once fielded for his Pakistan team”.
2. Named after a musician:
The little master was named after his Dad’s favorite music director – Sachin Dev Burman
3. Ball Boy:
Sachin Tendulkar, at the age of 14, was a ball boy in the semi-final encounter between India and England in 1987.
4. Afridi scored the fastest century with the Little Master's bat:
In his very first one day innings, the 16-year-old Afridi went on to hit a 37-ball century, the fastest One Day International century. Afridi just into the team did not have a kit. He was given Sachin's bat to play.
"I had just got into the Pakistan team and during nets in Nairobi 'Wicky Bhai' gave me a bat and said, play with this and see. It is Sachin's bat," Afridi told Gulf News.
5. Sachin Tendulkar was the first batsman to be given out by the third umpire:
Numerous records to his name, Sachin also was the first batsman to be declared out by the third umpire in 1992.
"When it comes to technology, I am always on for it even though I was the first to be given out via technology in South Africa in 1992," Sachin once said.
6. Falling from a tree led to the cricketer in him:
On a Sunday evening, the little naughty Sachin fell from a tree. His brother Ajit after seeing this packed him off to cricket coaching as a punishment. And that eventually led him towards the road of God of Cricket.
7. Sachin is ambidextrous:
The Little Master bats and bowls with his right hand but writes using his left hand.
8. Sara, Sachin's daughter was named after the first tournament victory of Sachin as captain:
During the Sahara Cup, Sachin let his bat talk, demolishing the Australian bowling. He also helped India clinch the cup. Sara was named after the Sahara Cup.
9. Sachin acted in a movie:
Sachin had made a guest appearance in one Bollywood movie 'stumped' in 2013. It was directed by Gaurav Pandey and produced by Raveena Tandon.
10. Ganguly revealed a secret during the launch of Sachin's autobiography:
Sachin used to walk in his sleep at the MRF Pace Academy. Sourav Ganguly was his roommate then.
11. Sachin was awarded the Man of the Tournament in 2003....without facing a single ball in the nets:
Sachin reportedly told Dravid, “I’m feeling good. I don’t want to go into the nets and waste the touch. I want to feel good about my batting. If I have that sort of feeling, I will score runs when I go in”.
He went on to score 673 runs in the tournament bagging the Man of the Tournament award.
When the future generations ask us to tell them about Sachin, we all will proudly say when Sachin gets out, we will switch off the TV. Even after years of appearance on the field, The God of Cricket is and will be cherished, adored and missed always.
A very happy birthday Master Blaster!!!
Also Read | The Birthday Boy Who Created Magic With Ball Too
