The secret behind Sachin's youthful look

10 Nov, 2006

MUMBAI: Injuries may have plagued him in the past, but 33-year-old Sachin Tendulkar continues to defy age and look as energetic, fit and youthful as he did as a 16-year-old when he made his international debut, seventeen years ago, in Pakistan.

The memories of that day are still fresh to many. Apart from reasons of the batting prowess that he demonstrated on that day, Sachin's boyish looks linger on. Cricket commentator and TV personality Charu Sharma remarked, "Except for the fact that his thick mop of curly hair is somewhat reduced now, not much has changed about Sachin. He is still the young looking Sachin I saw as a young boy, making his debut in Test cricket, on November 15, 1989 in Pakistan." He asked, "What's the secret to his health?"

Sachin, in his inimitable style, replied, "Eat right to maintain the energy levels and as a sportsman I have been able to follow a good diet and exercise regime."

Sachin was speaking at a press conference on Friday, in Mumbai, announcing his partnership with ITC Foods Sunfeast to market biscuits and energy food under his own brand name. "I am no expert on health issues but I have joined hands with Sunfeast to co-create the products based on my 17 years of experience and knowledge as a sportsman," said the man who is often lauded as the greatest batsman after Australia's Sir Donald Bradman.

Sachin in Time's 60 top Asians list

Nov 10, 2006
New Delhi: India's master blaster Sachin Tendulkar has been elected as one of the top 60 influential personalities in Asia by Time magazine.

Also on the list are Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Mother Teresa. Quite a company for the batting maestro who has been described in Time as the "greatest living exponent of his craft."

Paying a tribute to Sachin's genius the magazine further writes, "When he's in form, which is often, Tendulkar can rout the world's best bowlers with ease."

Tendulkar however, maintained his usual modesty when asked about the honour. "I don't think I am in the league of the great Mahatma Gandhi and Pandit Nehru. Time magazine have their own opinion and it is an honour."

The anniversary edition will be available from the 13th of November.

Sachin's sleepwalking and other tales

"My habit of sleepwalking has given others a lot of sleepless nights, but nothing more than my habit of talking while in my sleep", writes batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar. As his roommate during his debut tour of Pakistan in 1989, Kiran More heard him shout more than once in his sleep: "Maro, maro, thats a four". What shocked him more was that during one these spells, "I even broke my bracelet", Tendulkar writes.

Tendulkar also remembers when he challenged Vinod Kambli to wear a skirt during one of the Cooch Behar trophy tours and how the irrepressible Vinod did not think twice and was all over the streets of Ahmedabad wearing a skirt. He removed it only when they returned to the hotel at 11 pm!.

Sachin is this fan's match ticket

VADODARA, Jan 30: His statistics are interesting — 39 ODIs and five Tests in the last three years. That’s the number of matches Sudhir Kumar Gautam has watched, free of cost, courtesy tickets from Sachin Tendulkar himself.

For, Gautam, 26, is no ordinary cricket fan. His love for Tendulkar has him cycle all the way to match venues his trips include one to Lahore too from his home in Muzaffarpur.

For the Indian team, Gautam is a now permanent fixture, with Tendulkar ensuring that he gets a ticket on the eve of every big match.

He was at the IPCL Stadium on Tuesday on the eve of the West Indies-India ODI.

"I first met him in Mumbai in 2003 during an ODI. And, I have been there to cheer my hero and the team since then," said Gautam, as he waved an Indian flag. "All I do is attend the practice sessions before every match and wave the Indian flag. Tendulkar unfailingly gives me a ticket before boarding the team bus. He likes me a lot," added Gautam.

The love for the game reflects on his face, painted in the tricolour and an Indian flag drawn on his tonsured head.

"Watch me tomorrow. I am going to paint my entire body and have Tendulkar’s name on my back," he said.

He even claimed to have visited the batting maestro’s home in Mumbai. He also boasts of knowing every team member.

"I travel from one venue to another on my bicycle and use the train only if necessary. I don’t spend much on transportation," said Gautam. "I cycled my way even to Lahore in Pakistan in February 2006 to watch an ODI.

I had a tough time getting a visa but managed to convince the Pakistan embassy," he said. Such is his love for cricket that he has chosen to remain a bachelor.

"I wish to follow the Indian team to every part of the world. And, that will not be possible if I get married," said Gautam, adding that he took this decision at the cost of making his parents unhappy.

Gautam now has his eyes on the World Cup in the West Indies and is planning to request Tendulkar for tickets.

"I want to see my hero play in all World Cup ties this year and I will request him to hand me some entry passes," said Gautam.

Sachin dines at Martin's Corner

It is a wonderful evening. My wife surprised me by coming to Goa and I have always enjoyed having a nice quiet meal at Martins…"

Thursday, February 15, 2007 (Goa):

Situated just off Betalbatim beach, Martin's Corner is probably one of Goa's best known restaurants.

But that wasn't the only reason it was full on Valentine's Day.

Amongst the diners on Wednesday night was Indian Cricket Team member Sachin Tendulkar, satisfying his culinary cravings at the restaurant that even has a dish named after him.

"It is a wonderful evening. My wife surprised me by coming to Goa and I have always enjoyed having a nice quiet meal at Martins and the last time unfortunately I could not make it," said Sachin.

"I look forward to all these opportunities. Whenever the family is in Goa they make sure that they bring back Butter Garlic Crab for me so it's wonderful," added the Bombay bomber.

Number one customer

Most cricketers, when they come to Goa, usually make a beeline for Martin's.

But for the owners of the restaurant, who over the years have also played host to many famous Bollywood celebrities, their number one customer will always be the Bombay Bomber.

"He always likes Crabs and especially Butter Garlic and he loves sea food," said Bonny Pereira, Owner, Martin's Corner

With a heavy cricketing schedule, it is difficult for cricketers to spend time with their families but it has certainly been a double treat for Sachin Tendulkar. His wife surprised him in Goa and then of course spending time at one of his very favourite restaurants.

Sachin Tendulkar's comic act

21st Feb 2007

Sachin Tendulkar is always game for a good cause and this time around, he has taken his involvement with the NGO Apnalaya one step further.

In the midst of shooting at Mehboob Studio in Mumbai on Tuesday, Sachin took time out to launch a series of comics for young men on responsible sexual behaviour.

“Many times, being rash is considered macho. Honestly, I think being macho is actually being responsible and taking care of your loved ones,” said the cricket great who has been associated with Apnalaya for a while now. The comics have been released in association with Population Council.

Sachin went on to stress the importance of awareness and the need to reach out to the urban poor who usually have no access to information about HIV or AIDS.

Of the comics, Sachin says the one thing that will attract youth (between the ages of 15 and 24) is the fact that the stories in the comics are real-life stories.

“Because it comes from real-life situations, young men who read this will be a little more convinced and opt for safe and responsible lifestyle.”

As of now, the comics are distributed free in Mankhurd and Govandi areas of Mumbai by Apnalaya.

No.10 Arjun bends it like Papa Sachin!

21 Feb, 2007
Tendulkar Jr.'s team lost the match, but for this little guy, the game's just begun .

A lazy bumblebee buzzed through the dusty breeze, kicked up by dozens of little soccer boots under a bright and blazing sun, highlighting the beads of perspiration on the anxious foreheads of coaches and parents as they cheered their charges on to score.
It was late morning when the Junior 'B' soccer team of Dhirubhai Ambani School took on the Navy Junior team at the Mumbai School Sports Association ground at Azad Maidan, and the excitement both on and off the field was palpable.

And why all the excitement? Arjun Tendulkar, son of Little Master Sachin himself, was breaking in his new boots, having just started to play soccer.

Arjun occupied the centre-forward position and kicked off the second half, showing good team-player skills and keeping to his position. He tackled just as well as any of the other players, and had possession for quite some time.

"He's just started training. He's in his own world most of the time," said Bernard Pereira, one of the coaches.

Anjali Tendulkar, who watched over her son with an appraising eye, at first offered "no comment" but later admitted with a smile that her son "might not even talk". She conceded with the delight of a proud mother, "He's just started playing."

When the final whistle was blown, the boys had lost the match, and as they made their way back to their car, Anjali asked Arjun, "Want some water? Are you tired?" To which he replied, the indomitable spirit of a person not easily defeated evident on his furrowed brow, "I'm not tired!"

Sachin Tendulkar's gloves auctioned for ailing soccer referee

23rd Feb 2007

A pair of gloves worn by Sachin Tendulkar during the Multan Test in Pakistan in 2004 today fetched Rs 1.11 lakh in an auction with the proceeds going for the treatment of an ailing soccer referee.

Tendulkar, who could not make it to the function organised by the Calcutta Sports Journalists` Club, showed a noble gesture by sending in his gloves, which he had donned during an innings of 194 not out in Multan, for the auction.

Bollywood star Mithun Chakraborty came forward to conduct the auction by giving a starting bid of Rs 50,000.

The bid price soon went into the six figures and finally was won by a Kolkata-based industrialist.

The cheque was handed over to the wife of the ailing FIFA referee Pradip Nag.

Tendulkar is Virgin Comics 'super-hero'

Bangalore, Mar 16 : He has proved his mettle on cricket grounds across the globe, but Sachin Tendulkar is now set to save the world from untoward incidents. No, if you are thinking Sachin is planning to change his profession, then you are wrong. Tendulkar is set to feature as the superhero, "The Master Blaster" in comic books, animation and games. Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Comics has decided to team up with Total Multimedia Limited to create Tendulkar's unique character. "Sachin's success in cricket is legendary and we are delighted to collaborate with him to create this exciting new superhero for India," said Branson. Virgin Comics CEO Sharad Devarajan said: "Sachin is a living legend and the perfect choice to be immortalized as a new superhero character that will exist for generations to come". "I am thrilled to be working with talented creators at Virgin on the Master Blaster character. We have been working with Arif and the team at Total Multimedia over the last couple of years to develop projects in animation and gaming and the combined forces of Virgin will take this project to another level," said Tendulkar. Virgin Comics Chief Creative Officer Gotham Chopra said that when two powerful brands like Virgin and Tendulkar collide, an iconic hero like Master Blaster is the result. "Sachin's unparalleled skill on the cricket field and his dynamic personality off it make for the raw elements of a great hero that will inspire kids across the planet," he added. Acclaimed filmmaker and Virgin Comics Co-Founder Shekhar Kapur added, "What more can I say about Sachin Tendulkar, but that I am an adoring fan. My respect for him goes far beyond the game of cricket. I am so excited to be associated with him in any way. I know that the 'Master Blaster' superhero will be an exciting, educational and uplifting entertainment character for kids of all ages." The first Master Blaster comic book is expected to hit newsstands later this year.