A legend in the making: Sachin Tendulkar in a file photo shot 20 years ago.
Lata Mangeshkar, Legendary singer
Sachin’s birthday coincides with my father’s death anniversary. I once met him a day before his birthday and journalists asked him what he would like to say about me. He replied ‘How can I say anything about my mother?’ Since then, he has been addressing me as mother…
Atul Kasbekar, Ace photographer
We were once shooting in Chennai and someone, probably his manager, challenged Sachin that he won’t be able to beat his score in a mobile phone game. Sachin immediately took up the challenge and even placed a bet over the phone in question. Between the takes, all the guy did was to just play the game, absolutely focused almost to the point of going berserk. Before lunch time he won the bet. There is a far deeper lesson to learn from this.
Pravin Amre, Mumbai coach
I first met Sachin when he was 12. Our sir (Ramakant Achrekar) told me that this kid will make it big. I was stunned as our sir was very miserly with compliment. He was never satisfied and always wanted us to do better. And now there was this kid who gets a compliment on Day 1!
Gaurav Gill, Rally driver
I spent a few minutes with him and I was amazed by the kind of questions he threw at me. Even the media has never asked me such questions! He wanted to know about various driving techniques like left-foot braking, car set-up, etc. It was really surprising how much he knows about motorsports.
David Johnson, Former India cricketer
I made my debut against Australia in Delhi, 1996, and that was also Sachin’s first Test as captain. He used to stand at mid-off and used to constantly tell me where to bowl just to take the pressure off me. It was a great relief and also showed how Sachin is always eager to help newcomers.
Sunil Joshi, Former India cricketer
I am lucky to have shared the dressing room with the legend for seven-eight years. Once in a camp in Chennai, Sachin told me: ‘Joey, keep improving your skill. That is what matters the most.’ I remember him telling Mohammad Kaif: ‘Kaifu, don’t run so fast. You are not here to become Carl Lewis but score runs in the middle.’
Madan Lal, Former India cricketer and coach
I remember he played a superb knock in 1989 for Mumbai against us when I was the Delhi captain. I could see that fire in his belly. The urge to go out there and prove a point. The dedication coupled with humility towards senior players struck me that time itself. It was an image that was to remain with me over the years.
Vijender Singh, Olympian boxer
My first ever knowledge of sport wasn’t boxing but cricket and only because I saw his exploits on TV. He handed me the Sahara award recently. I didn’t know who would give it away and I was awestruck to receive it from him. He congratulated me for my achievements. Can you believe it? It was just too much!
Baichung Bhutia, India football captain
We played an exhibition tennis match in Kolkata and his commitment was notable. He was committed even though it was only for fun. This proved that whatever the sport, Sachin always gives his best. When I asked him later about tennis, he said that he was a big fan of John McEnroe and that when he was a child he had imitated his hairstyle.
Mir Ranjan Negi, Former international hockey captain
Sachin’s achievement has been unbelievable. I ran into him a few times in airports and I never found him with any airs about him like other cricketers. Last year we (me, Sachin, Sourav and Prakash Padukone) were felicitated by Kolkata’s sports journalists and it was nice to share the dais with him.
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