Jammu and Kashmir players are in Mumbai to play a Ranji Trophy game for the first time and it is but natural they hoped to meet their idol Bharat Ratna Sachin Tendulkar. And that wish got stronger after they upset the hosts.
While the legend did make an appearance to talk to Mumbai players and spent 20 minutes with them, he could not spend few moments with the youngsters from the troubled state.
On Wednesday, after J&K created history by defeating 40-time Ranji Trophy champions Mumbai by four wickets, they expected a pat on the back or a congratulatory message from the batting maestro that would have done wonders for their confidence. Tendulkar, who was giving a pep talk to the Mumbai team in the dressing room, did not find time for the visitors.
"We were very happy once Tendulkar was in the Mumbai dressing room, which was next to ours. We thought he would come to us too, however, we were in for a disappointment when we came to know that he had to left for another meeting immediately," said a player from J&K.
"We didn't know that Sachin paaji had come to the match. But after the news came in, the boys wanted to meet him, but that couldn't happen. He had to leave the ground early owing to some other commitments," Jammu & Kashmir captain Parvez Rasool reportedly said.
Meanwhile, Tendulkar who spent more than 20 minutes with the Mumbai team said he was called by Mumbai coach Praveen Amre.
"I was there to spend some time with the Mumbai team. I was asked by Pravin Amre to come and speak to the boys after the game," Tendulkar told in another event.
It is learnt that Tendulkar told Mumbai players not to panic after the loss. "He told us that it is just the first game and there is lot of journey left to get the trophy. He motivated us by narrating a few stories about Mumbai cricket. He especially spoke to the batsmen and gave them some tips," said a source from the team.
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