When we talk cricket, we miss talking about the legend Sachin Tendulkar — from being an amazing cricketer to an even greater human being. In a recent chat, the cricketing star said that he once fulfilled his promise with one of his ex-teammates during an interaction. Tendulkar shared an old story and the vital influence Gursharan Singh played in his initial days, especially in helping him get through to the Indian cricket team.
The ‘Master Blaster’ then pointed out that it was in fact him who gave the compliment back when it came to returning the favour. Playing for the Rest of India in the Irani Cup, Sachin Tendulkar was unbeaten on 85 when his team lost nine wickets. On the day, Gursharan had a fracture in his hand but nevertheless he made his way to bat under instructions of the late Raj Singh Dungarpur, the team’s vice-captain then.
“That was my trial match for the Indian team. Gursharan wasn’t supposed to bat, but he listened to Raj Singh and came out to bat and eventually helped me get my 100. And I got selected to play for India after that. Later, Gursharan also became a part of the Indian cricket team. I thanked him profusely there, because it was a big thing for him to come out with his broken hand. His intent, his attitude mattered the most to me. That touched my heart,” Tendulkar said during an Ageas Federal Life Insurance event as quoted by NDTV Sports.
“In those days, there were benefit matches for retired cricketers. So I told him in New Zealand, ‘Gushi, someday or the other, you will retire. You can’t play for a lifetime. But the day you retire and you get a benefit match, I promise I will come and play.’ And I’m glad that I was able to play his match,” he added.
Sachin Tendulkar later received a call from Gursharan while the latter was playing a charity match, and he made sure to keep the promise he had made with heartfelt sincerity.
“I told him, ‘Gushi, I had promised you in New Zealand (in 1990) that I will play in your benefit match, and 15 years later, now that you have decided to host the benefit match, I will definitely come and play. That’s my promise. These memories still stay with me. And today, I can proudly say, whatever I promised, I fulfilled,” said Sachin.
