One of India’s best spinners, Harbhajan has been a detailed pal of the maestro for greater than 20 years and his “memory bank” is filled with Tendulkar tales, each on and off the sector.
“Paaji (as Tendulkar is referred to by junior teammates) is perhaps someone who is closest to being a perfect cricketer. Obviously, as a person he is a role model and an example of how to lead your life with dignity, humility, despite enjoying god-like status and insane following in our country,” Harbhajan informed PTI throughout an interplay forward of Tendulkar’s fiftieth birthday.
Asked to share his reminiscences, Harbhajan laughed.
“There are way too many. He has a guiding light in my life. Some are too personal and emotional, which I will keep for my story. But I can share a few with you guys,” the ‘Turbanator’ mentioned.
“To understand the genius of Sachin Tendulkar, one little story will be enough. During the entire 2003 World Cup in South Africa, Paaji didn’t bat in the nets for even one single day.
“The Indian bowling unit carried out properly however neither Javagal Srinath, Ashish Nehra, Zaheer Khan nor Anil Kumble or myself bowled even as soon as to him at nets in the course of the match,” Harbhajan recollected.
Tendulkar finished the tournament with more than 600 runs, including the epic 98 against Pakistan at the Centurion, the slash over third man off a short ball by Shoaib Akhtar still fresh in memory.
So how did he get match ready during that World Cup?
“In 2003, we did not have these throw-down equipment (Robo-Arm), like now we have right now. But we had a gentleman named Shyamal, who would give Paaji throw-downs from 18 yards, and at instances, 16 yards. He would take throw-downs for hours and that was his observe.
“He was very big on preparation and visualization of bowlers he would face. In those pre-analyticy days (there used to be video analyst though), in his head, he knew how to tackle each bowler,” Harbhajan mentioned.
The motive he took throw-downs, at instances from 16 to 18 yards, was to make sure that in the course of the match the identical supply would come to him a cut up second late and provides him that further time to manoeuvre.
“He had all shots in the book. During my peak, no one played my doosra in the Indian nets as comfortably as Sachin did. Man, he could read the hand of the bowlers and in a flash would adjust his footwork.
“Yes, I’ve dismissed him numerous instances within the nets however he has additionally hammered me. No one performed the traditional sweep like he did. He knew when to play the sweep shot up within the air or when to simply play the paddle and preserve the ball alongside the bottom.”
The T20 cricket has witnessed innovative shot-making being taken to a different level but Harbhajan felt that Tendulkar’s basic game was so strong that he didn’t need to play fancy strokes.
“I do not assume in final 25 years amongst Indian batters, there was anybody who has performed extra strokes in ‘V’ than Sachin. He may simply play throughout the ‘V’ and should you can rating in-front of the wicket, you do not want too many inventions.”
Harbhajan is proud that he has been a part of an Indian dressing room and has watched Tendulkar hit at least 60-65 of his 100 international hundreds.
“I’ve been on the different finish throughout a few of these knocks. But nothing beats the sensation of watching these twin a whole bunch at Sharjah as an 18-year-old. Watching him scythe by Aussie assault was such an ideal feeling. I did not play the finals, however I used to be part of the XI, when he scored the opposite hundred,” Harbhajan recalled.
“Yes, he has 49 ODI a whole bunch however these two knocks in Sharjah and the 98 in opposition to Pakistan at Centurion are three knocks that I’ll bear in mind until my final day. In 1998, 275 was like 350 and in a World Cup sport in 2003, 270 plus was a par rating. Chasing in high-stakes sport requires a special mindset.”
He then narrated a funny story when he was first selected in the Indian team and got a chance to bowl to Tendulkar in the nets.
“I had bowled to Sachin as an academy bowler when Indian staff performed its matches in Mohali, however as soon as I used to be chosen within the Indian staff, it was a special ambiance.”
“So it occurred that I bought an opportunity to bowl to Sachin. Now, after a couple of deliveries, I felt that he summoned me by nodding his head the wrong way up. So I simply went up and requested him ‘Haanji Paaji? Aapne bulaya’? (Did you name me Paaji?). Now Sachin, when he’s batting he would not discuss to anybody. He is simply in his zone and informed me ‘No’.”
“After a couple of minutes, once more a nod of his head and I once more went up and this time he appeared a bit irritated because it was hampering his observe. He requested, ‘What occurred, why are you arising repeatedly’? I may collect sufficient braveness to inform him that since he was nodding his head after every supply, I felt he needed to talk to me.”
Then he laughed and told me the actual reason behind his nodding.
“In these days, he used to put on a helmet that was barely over-sized or unfastened, I could say. So, after each supply, he would simply nod his head the wrong way up to regulate the helmet earlier than dealing with the following supply.”
Tendulkar was like a pillar of strength for Harbhajan during his lowest phase — the ‘Monkey Gate’ scandal — where he was accused of racially abusing the late Andrew Symonds.
Since the incident happened during a partnership between Harbhajan and Tendulkar, the legend was also summoned for a hearing, where he stood firmly by his younger teammate, who was later absolved of any wrongdoing.
Asked if he had any message for his “paaji” on his 50th birthday, Harbhajan said, “Just pray for a protracted, wholesome life and preserve inspiring us like you could have at all times performed.”
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com