Aakash Chopra on Sachin Tendulkar
My first interaction with Sachin happened in Ahmedabad when I was named in the Indian team for the first time for a series against New Zealand in October 2003. Like everyone else, I also looked up to him as that idol, a maestro that you always thought was the pinnacle and exactly where you aspired to be if you could go that far.
I realised early that Sachin goes to great lengths to make you feel comfortable and part of the group. Because he always knew that all these kids idolised him, and he was very humble about it. He quietly does his bit to welcome you with open arms.
There were separate bowlers and batters meeting before that Test match against New Zealand. He would ask me six or seven questions during the batters’ meeting. For e.g., ‘Has Dan Vettori bowled an arm ball? Whether Daryl Tuffey is bowling the leg cutter?’ The questions were about the warm-up games I played against New Zealand.
I used to wonder, I might have played a few deliveries from these bowlers but Sachin has faced hundreds of those kinds of deliveries, and how can I be of any help? So it was his way of breaking the ice, and very sweet of him to do so with newcomers. Anyone who walks into that dressing room, your eyes would be transfixed on the floor, and if Sachin Tendulkar is around, you won’t even open your mouth. So he was always cognizant that kids walking in the dressing room would be in awe of Sachin Tendulkar, the player. So, Sachin Tendulkar, the man, always did his bit to make you feel part of the setup.
Vishwanathan Anand on Sachin Tendulkar
During my time in the national team, he would ask, ‘Aakash, would you mind standing behind the stumps?’ Of course, I would have stood there anyway, as there is so much to learn. What better place to stand and learn batting? ‘Just peeche khade ho jaao aur unko (Tendulkar) khelte huye dekho.’
The way he reacts to every ball is the coaching manual right in front of you. So I would stand there always. In fact, he would ask questions if his footwork was correct or if the shuffle, he was trying was coming out well? Watching the ball close enough? I would be embarrassed that why is Paaji asking me? But he would continue to ask. I remember I got a chance to interact with him in Ahmedabad because I wasn’t sure how many Test matches, I would play. So, I sought his permission and went to his room. He gave me an hour, and I had plenty of questions. He, in fact, told me that he was not able to sleep properly for 15 days prior, and he was visualising every ball. How would he play Wasim, Waqar and Shoaib? That initial awkwardness that we newcomers had evaporated quickly.
Extracted with permission from Sachin@50 Celebrating A Maestro, Simon and Schuster. To be published on 24 April for Sachin Tendulkar’s 50th birthday.
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