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Sachin Tendulkar: Cricket's 'Little Master' bigger than the game

MUMBAI

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One the game's greats, Sachin Tendulkar is more than just a player in India, he's an icon.In India he's an icon and to the rest of the cricketing world he's simply known as one of the greatest ever batsmen.

Sachin Tendulkar picked up a bat at the age of 4 in Mumbai and from that day on fell in love with the game.

"The only thing that was on my mind was, 'I want to play for India one day,' and I was pretty sure and confident that one day I will," he told CNN in Mumbai.

In fact he made his Test debut for India at the age of 16 facing Pakistan's fearsome bowling attack, just two years after making his first-class debut for Mumbai.

Despite a baptism of fire in that first international match and getting hit on the mouth by a ball from Waquar Younis, he took his own game forward and has become known for the positivity of his play and the compact efficiency and brilliance of his shot-making.

Making his first Test hundred at the age of 17 against England he has racked up the records in a 19-year career.

In 2000 he became the first batsman to score 50 international hundreds, and is the highest scorer in One Day internationals. He joined an elite group in 2007 when he became only the third player to pass 11,000 runs in Test cricket.

Nicknames in cricket are common, but only if you're a really exceptional player do you get one that's complementary. Tendulkar has joined that elite as the "Little Master" which sits nicely next to other great batsmen, Viv "Master Blaster" Richards and Brian "The Prince" Lara.

But perhaps no higher praise came from Australian cricketing legend Donald Bradman who once said that Tendulkar was the only player that reminded him of himself.

Like all sportsmen he's suffered from injury, and now 35-years-old, many are wondering if his best days are behind him.

Playing for India against England and Australia last summer and at the beginning of 2008, many commentators thought that his normal aggression and daring were missing from his game. His form was also heavily criticized after the 2007 World Cup, and injury forced him out of the international series against South Africa.

But for the man used to batting away tricky deliveries, this criticism gets a typical positive response: "I'm not one to dwell on the past. I like to move forward and these challenges, these hurdles in between, they bring the best out of me. They motivate me even more."

He's currently facing the challenges of the rapid-fire version of the game in the Indian Premier League (IPL), masterminded by Lalit Modi, that despite it's glitz and hype has been criticized for losing some of the finer points of the sport.

"It's so full of excitement. I personally don't feel that it's dumbing-down the game. It's just another version of cricket. If the game is going to be globalized in the form of IPL, then why not? It's better for cricket," he told CNN.


Treading his father's path on social responsibilities, batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar said he will sponsor the education of 200 children, who are part of a Non-Governmental Organisation.


Buzz up!Sachin, who is already taking care of 200 children from the same NGO Apnalaya, said he always looked up to his father in trying to understand his social responsibilities. "There is no better source of inspiration for me than my father. Growing up as a child, I saw my father, a professor, pay for the education of our 'paperwala', who could not afford it. This is in a family where every penny mattered," the master batsman said at a press conference here.


"Whoever turned up at our house, be it the watchman or the postman, would not be allowed to leave without having a cup of tea, which my father served," he said, adding "These incidents taught me all about caring for others. I have learnt from my father and I'm proud of it".

"I'm trying to double my givings and contributing in whatever way I can. I will pay for the education of 200 children as a part of the 'Joy of Giving Week' campaign," he said in support of the programme conceptualised by another NGO, GiveIndia, to promote charity.

When asked about the the 'Joy of Giving Week' campaign that aims to induce people from all walks of life to donate money, time or simple acts of kindness would be a success, Tendulkar said only heartless people would fail to support the campaign.


Off the field too, the master batsman is a champion in his own right. Few are aware about how much he is doing for young cancer-stricken children across the country. He is instrumental in raising a corpus fund of 1.35 crore in the crusade against cancer in children, which has helped more than 40 children so far.

Many of these children are from the low income group in remote areas of the country and cannot afford the expensive treatment. But Tendulkar's timely intervention has ensured them a new lease of life.

"It is such human touch and such concern and compassion which sets apart Sachin Tendulkar from anyone else. Tendulkar and his wife Anjali helped raise the amount for the children, quietly and without fanfare," says Dr P Jagannath, chairman of the Oncology department at Lilavati hospital in Mumbai, and one of the best cancer surgeons in the country.

Tendulkar and Dr Jagannath are working together on a campaign – 'Crusade against cancer in Children' – a charity close to the ace batsman's heart.

While Tendulkar is actively involved in funding the charity, Dr Jagannath believes if his fans also join in supporting the cause it would help a great deal in treating cancer-afflicted kids. There are millions of Tendulkar fans across the world and even if a sizeable number of them join their favourite batsmen in this campaign it would go a long way in helping children around the country, he says.

One hasn't to do anything special or contribute a hefty sum to join the crusade against cancer. You just need to log on to the website www.indiacancer.org and make a nominal contribution of Rs 100
http://www.rediff.com/cricket/report/sa ... 110331.htm