Bengaluru Feb 11: At the release of journalist Gautam Bhattacharya's book 'Sach', cricketers retired and present, as well as coach Gary Kirsten, spoke eloquently about the impact of the phenomenon called Sachin Tendulkar on the nation and sport.
“To me, Sachin Tendulkar is the greatest sporting role model I have ever seen,” Kirsten said. “Whenever Sachin comes out to bat, he treats his batting with absolute humility.”
Revealing that he had begun to get ‘sick and tired’ of the sight of Tendulkar’s straight bat while fielding at mid-off and mid-on during his playing days, Kirsten told the gathering. “I have seen the humility with which he accepts such adulation from so many people, it is truly extraordinary.”
Kirsten, under whose guidance the Indian team has scaled new heights, recalled, "When I got the offer of coaching the Indian team, I was a little bit nervous and apprehensive as to how I would start the proceedings
“I still remember in Adelaide (tour of Australia 2007-08), Sachin came up to me and said, ‘Can you throw a few balls at me?’ I said to myself, ‘I need to impress him.’ I threw from 16-17 yards and he missed a few balls. Next moment, he came to me and said, ‘Gary, do you mind going a few yards back?’
"After that, lovely cover drives flowed from Sachin's bat. It was a good learning experience for me. I am fortunate to have had many net sessions with him and played alongside him," he stated with appreciation for the maestro’s batting genius.
"I have played a fair amount of cricket with Sachin and it has been a humble privilege to have worked with him and the rest of the Indian team," Kirsten said.
Teammate of several years, batting legend Rahul Dravid too was all praise for Tendulkar. "I have never really got tired of watching Sachin bat. He has inspired so many generations of kids," Dravid said.
Former India captain, celebrated leg-spinner Anil Kumble added, "He has touched the lives of more people than anyone in the world. It's been a privilege that I have been a witness to Sachin's achievements. The World Cup is one tournament which requires team effort. I wish Sachin, MS [Dhoni] and the rest of the boys in their endeavour to win the Cup".
Commenting upon the impact that Tendulkar has had on the world Kumble said, “He has touched a billion Indians, and he has touched Indians and cricket fans around the world. A true champion.”
Indiaskipper MS Dhoni, who has written the foreword to ‘Sach’ said, “I have written very little about Sachin’s cricket and more about what I have learnt from him in five years as an international cricketer, as well as the kind of human being, father, husband and role model he has been.”
