5 Questions
'It was almost impossible to upset his composure'
Radio commentator Jim Maxwell on why Tendulkar is so special
17-Nov-2013
You have seen a selection of the best players in your time as a radio commentator. Why did Sachin Tendulkar stand out?
In the last 20 years, Tendulkar is up there with Brian Lara, in terms of batsmen who can dominate and intimidate the opposition. Tendulkar is just ahead of Lara because of his longevity, to last over 20-odd years. Overall, he is No. 2 to Bradman.
In the last 20 years, Tendulkar is up there with Brian Lara, in terms of batsmen who can dominate and intimidate the opposition. Tendulkar is just ahead of Lara because of his longevity, to last over 20-odd years. Overall, he is No. 2 to Bradman.
How easy or difficult was it to describe Tendulkar's batting?
At the SCG, on India's 2003-04 tour, Australia came up with a tactic under Steve Waugh of bowling a foot outside the off stump, and Tendulkar would still hit them over and through midwicket for four. Then the Chennai Test of 1998 was a delight to describe, because Tendulkar was looking to get after Warne in the first innings and he got caught. In the second innings there was rough outside the leg stump and Warne obviously thought he had a chance of getting him out by bowling into it. Tendulkar clattered him with a dexterous mix of watchfulness and defence and then attack, daring attack - going down and opening up his front foot and hitting Warne out of the rough into the crowd over midwicket for a six.
At the SCG, on India's 2003-04 tour, Australia came up with a tactic under Steve Waugh of bowling a foot outside the off stump, and Tendulkar would still hit them over and through midwicket for four. Then the Chennai Test of 1998 was a delight to describe, because Tendulkar was looking to get after Warne in the first innings and he got caught. In the second innings there was rough outside the leg stump and Warne obviously thought he had a chance of getting him out by bowling into it. Tendulkar clattered him with a dexterous mix of watchfulness and defence and then attack, daring attack - going down and opening up his front foot and hitting Warne out of the rough into the crowd over midwicket for a six.
He just played some phenomenal cricket shots. That was the beauty of his batting, particularly against the fast bowers when he drove straight: he just held his position, absolutely still, played through the line of the ball, sizzled. I always thought someone would pick up and measure his bat - it looked wide. Everything about his batting was so controlled and when he was in, it was almost impossible to upset his composure.
Full post'Understanding the genius was far more fascinating than the shots'
Can one capture Tendulkar's essence? A veteran sportswriter thinks not
14-Nov-2013
What is your first Tendulkar memory?
1989. Spring. Playing a Ranji Trophy match. Fifteen years old. Kids are infected with energy, they're restless, they dart here and there. But at the crease he was so still. So ready.
1989. Spring. Playing a Ranji Trophy match. Fifteen years old. Kids are infected with energy, they're restless, they dart here and there. But at the crease he was so still. So ready.
What is your favourite shot of his?
The straight drive. When he's on tiptoe. Looking, as I once wrote, as if god had him by the collar. No violence to his stroke. Only alignment and timing and poise. And a ball retrieved from the boundary.
The straight drive. When he's on tiptoe. Looking, as I once wrote, as if god had him by the collar. No violence to his stroke. Only alignment and timing and poise. And a ball retrieved from the boundary.
Which innings stay with you the most?
The two one-day centuries (143 and 134) in Sharjah 1998 and the 241 not out in the Sydney Test in early 2004. All against Australia. The first two were dazzle, the third was craft. The first two made a point to the world, the third was a struggle with the self. The first two were talent flamboyantly unleashed; the third was talent carefully marshalled.
Full postThe two one-day centuries (143 and 134) in Sharjah 1998 and the 241 not out in the Sydney Test in early 2004. All against Australia. The first two were dazzle, the third was craft. The first two made a point to the world, the third was a struggle with the self. The first two were talent flamboyantly unleashed; the third was talent carefully marshalled.
An SMS to treasure, and a walk in Adelaide
Veteran journalist Lokendra Pratap Sahi chats about the thrills and challenges of interviewing Tendulkar
12-Nov-2013
What is the most unique aspect about your relationship with Tendullkar?
Longevity. And the respect and trust he has in me. In fact the morning after the Kolkata Test we exchanged some SMS-es on a particular issue. In his last response, which it will not be proper to divulge, he ended by writing: "That's why people respect you for your ethics."
Longevity. And the respect and trust he has in me. In fact the morning after the Kolkata Test we exchanged some SMS-es on a particular issue. In his last response, which it will not be proper to divulge, he ended by writing: "That's why people respect you for your ethics."
This confidence has obviously come through our long-standing relationship, which started from his debut Test in 1989 in Karachi. I was there at Old Trafford when he scored his first Test hundred. I covered his 100th Test match at The Oval in 2002. And now I would be there in Mumbai covering his 200th and final Test. There is probably only one other journalist who has covered these landmark Tests and that is remarkable.
Considering you have interviewed many famous cricketers in your 30-odd years as a sports journalist, how difficult was Tendulkar as a subject?
The problem initially was he was too shy. He still is. Initially the impression I got was he would give rather predictable answers, not open up. He would not want to say too much. But in the more recent interactions he is more forthcoming. He has become a much better speaker and is much more open to express an opinion on a few things, which he was extremely reluctant to do in the earlier phase of his career.
Full postThe problem initially was he was too shy. He still is. Initially the impression I got was he would give rather predictable answers, not open up. He would not want to say too much. But in the more recent interactions he is more forthcoming. He has become a much better speaker and is much more open to express an opinion on a few things, which he was extremely reluctant to do in the earlier phase of his career.
'Australians embraced Tendulkar with fervour'
An Australian writer shares his memories
10-Nov-2013
What is your first memory of Sachin?
My first memory of Sachin followed his remarkable Test debut in Pakistan. Stories of his precociousness and courage appeared in the Australian media. I first saw him at the crease at Sydney in January 1992 when he became the youngest man to score a Test century in Australia.
My first memory of Sachin followed his remarkable Test debut in Pakistan. Stories of his precociousness and courage appeared in the Australian media. I first saw him at the crease at Sydney in January 1992 when he became the youngest man to score a Test century in Australia.
What are your stand-out memories from his first tour to Australia in 1991-92?
Unsurprisingly, I most remember his undefeated 148 at Sydney when I first thrilled to him at the crease. It was the first of his 11 Test hundreds against Australia.
Unsurprisingly, I most remember his undefeated 148 at Sydney when I first thrilled to him at the crease. It was the first of his 11 Test hundreds against Australia.
Did you ever speak to him?
I had the pleasure of interviewing him on a number of occasions for newspaper and magazine articles and television documentaries. Whether we met at cricket grounds, hotels or at the MIG Club in Bandra, Mumbai, invariably Sachin was polite, giving with his time, honest with his answers and expansive in his thinking on the game.
Full postI had the pleasure of interviewing him on a number of occasions for newspaper and magazine articles and television documentaries. Whether we met at cricket grounds, hotels or at the MIG Club in Bandra, Mumbai, invariably Sachin was polite, giving with his time, honest with his answers and expansive in his thinking on the game.
'Mind-bogglingly mountainous numbers'
How will the world of cricket statistics react to Tendulkar's retirement?
07-Nov-2013
How will stats nerds like you cope when Sachin retires?
It will be difficult. For 24 years, Sachin has churned out statistics like Indian politics churns out corruption scandals - unceasingly, and with often mind-bogglingly mountainous numbers. But the joy of statistics is that all players generate them. If you had a team of Chris Martins batting against a bowling attack of Alastair Cooks, it would still create stats. Not necessarily stats that anyone would be interested in, but stats nonetheless.
It will be difficult. For 24 years, Sachin has churned out statistics like Indian politics churns out corruption scandals - unceasingly, and with often mind-bogglingly mountainous numbers. But the joy of statistics is that all players generate them. If you had a team of Chris Martins batting against a bowling attack of Alastair Cooks, it would still create stats. Not necessarily stats that anyone would be interested in, but stats nonetheless.
What is your favourite Sachin stat?
In my recent search for Sachin stats to adorn these very pages, a few stood out. In terms of his extraordinary cricketing longevity, my favourite stat was that there is a 45-year age gap between the oldest and youngest international cricketers against whom he has played (from John Traicos, born in 1947; to Kraigg Brathwaite, born in 1992). In terms of his peak batting performances, a stand-out stat was his 52 international hundreds from 1996 to 2002, almost twice as many as the next most prolific centurion in the same period.
In my recent search for Sachin stats to adorn these very pages, a few stood out. In terms of his extraordinary cricketing longevity, my favourite stat was that there is a 45-year age gap between the oldest and youngest international cricketers against whom he has played (from John Traicos, born in 1947; to Kraigg Brathwaite, born in 1992). In terms of his peak batting performances, a stand-out stat was his 52 international hundreds from 1996 to 2002, almost twice as many as the next most prolific centurion in the same period.
There are also some quirkier stats - such as the fact that he has taken more five-wicket hauls in one-day internationals than, amongst others: Shane Warne, Dale Steyn, Kapil Dev, Courtney Walsh, Imran Khan, Zaheer Khan, and Michael Holding (one each); Ian Botham, Malcolm Marshall, former professional Pope John Paul II, canine film-star Lassie, fodder scamster Laloo Prasad Yadav, 19th-century nursing celeb Florence Nightingale, and alleged Indian fast bowler Ishant Sharma (zero each).
Full postTendulkar v Pakistan
For a Pakistani journalist, watching the old rival's best batsman tear the home team's bowling to shreds was oddly satisfying
04-Nov-2013
What is your first memory of Tendulkar?
It's funny, because I don't think I can remember the first time I consciously noted Tendulkar, or suddenly became aware of him. That's not to do with how long he has been around but more with how omnipresent he became (who remembers how "God" came about, for example?). He was kind of always there. I first understood how good he might be when he scored that Test hundred at Old Trafford against England in 1990. I also remember, strangely, that it took India and him ages to understand how to best use him in an ODI.
It's funny, because I don't think I can remember the first time I consciously noted Tendulkar, or suddenly became aware of him. That's not to do with how long he has been around but more with how omnipresent he became (who remembers how "God" came about, for example?). He was kind of always there. I first understood how good he might be when he scored that Test hundred at Old Trafford against England in 1990. I also remember, strangely, that it took India and him ages to understand how to best use him in an ODI.
What fascinated you about him in his early days?
His hair and his voice, which were both so impossibly boyish, and yet he batted fully like an adult. Also, at that time, thinking simply that the best player in the side made the best captain, I couldn't quite work out why he wasn't a better captain than he was.
His hair and his voice, which were both so impossibly boyish, and yet he batted fully like an adult. Also, at that time, thinking simply that the best player in the side made the best captain, I couldn't quite work out why he wasn't a better captain than he was.
Talk about the experience of first watching him bat live in a stadium...
I'm pretty sure the first time I saw him live was in Karachi for the first ODI of that 2003-04 series. He was overshadowed comprehensively by Virender Sehwag (and a memorable atmosphere and crowd), which, for Pakistani viewers, would remain a pattern through Tendulkar's career against them. The first time I saw him in a Test live was in Multan that same tour, against empty stands. Again Sehwag's triple overshadowed him, but he made 194, and though it made big news for how it ended (or didn't), it felt like such an inevitable hand. Tendulkar, bat, bowlers, big hundred. It was a completely controlled and ruthless bit of batting, a little disappointing actually in that it did not make the hairs on your arm stand up.
Full postI'm pretty sure the first time I saw him live was in Karachi for the first ODI of that 2003-04 series. He was overshadowed comprehensively by Virender Sehwag (and a memorable atmosphere and crowd), which, for Pakistani viewers, would remain a pattern through Tendulkar's career against them. The first time I saw him in a Test live was in Multan that same tour, against empty stands. Again Sehwag's triple overshadowed him, but he made 194, and though it made big news for how it ended (or didn't), it felt like such an inevitable hand. Tendulkar, bat, bowlers, big hundred. It was a completely controlled and ruthless bit of batting, a little disappointing actually in that it did not make the hairs on your arm stand up.
'He didn't alter his behaviour, so you had to be quick'
Tendulkar didn't avoid cameras but he seemed to be aware of them, says Australian journalist and photographer Mark Ray
Interview by Siddhartha Vaidyanathan
28-Oct-2013
What is your first memory of Sachin Tendulkar?
I first saw him in person at a practice session before the first Test in Brisbane in November 1991. It was his first tour of Australia. He was 19 and had already played 11 Tests and made one century. I'd read about this great young player and like all the media I was watching him closely.
I first saw him in person at a practice session before the first Test in Brisbane in November 1991. It was his first tour of Australia. He was 19 and had already played 11 Tests and made one century. I'd read about this great young player and like all the media I was watching him closely.
As the net session was ending I noticed Tendulkar putting his pads back on for a second hit. Ravi Shastri was one of the bowlers who stayed behind to bowl to him. The net next to Sachin's was vacant so I quietly walked about halfway down, stopping four metres from him at a very short midwicket.
I didn't take any photos. I just stood still. He didn't pay me any attention. The main things I noticed were his simple footwork and his perfect balance. At one point he took a step down to a ball from Shastri and flicked it way over my head. The nets were at the edge of the oval and the ball sailed over a wall into a nearby street. Shastri watched the ball fly out of sight, glanced back to Tendulkar, raised his eyebrows and looked up into the sky with a faint smile as if to say: "Well, I better get used to it. This kid's going to be around for a long time."
Full postA plateful of biscuits, and an unforgettable car ride
Covering Tendulkar for 25 years has to be pretty eventful. Clayton Murzello recalls his days waiting at airports and chasing leads
23-Oct-2013
What is your first Tendulkar memory?
I first saw him outside a sports bookshop where I worked. It could have been 1987. He and his pal Vinod Kambli used to pass the shop, which was not far away from their school. At times, Kambli entered the shop to get a feel of the books, but Tendulkar never came in. He used to stand near the door and see the books through the glass cupboard.
I first saw him outside a sports bookshop where I worked. It could have been 1987. He and his pal Vinod Kambli used to pass the shop, which was not far away from their school. At times, Kambli entered the shop to get a feel of the books, but Tendulkar never came in. He used to stand near the door and see the books through the glass cupboard.
When did you first interview him?
It was an interview that I wanted after he returned from the 1990 New Zealand tour. He was playing a Purshottam Shield match for Shivaji Park Youngsters against Sunder Cricket Club, the team I managed at Cross Maidan. It was a one-and-a-half day game. At the end of the first day, I approached him when he was packing up to go home. He gave me directions - which bus to get into and where to get off. A week later, I landed up at his place at Bandra East. His father, Ramesh, taught in the same college I studied in. But I'm not sure he recognised me. He opened the door, welcomed me and called out, "Sachin, someone has come to see you."
It was an interview that I wanted after he returned from the 1990 New Zealand tour. He was playing a Purshottam Shield match for Shivaji Park Youngsters against Sunder Cricket Club, the team I managed at Cross Maidan. It was a one-and-a-half day game. At the end of the first day, I approached him when he was packing up to go home. He gave me directions - which bus to get into and where to get off. A week later, I landed up at his place at Bandra East. His father, Ramesh, taught in the same college I studied in. But I'm not sure he recognised me. He opened the door, welcomed me and called out, "Sachin, someone has come to see you."
Soon Sachin was in the living room. He served me tea and biscuits, arranged on a plate.
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