The most powerful imagery around Sachin Tendulkar is, of course, the Little Master taking guard, with the bowler about to begin the run-up, and the crowd getting into a non-stop chant of “Sachin Sachin”. As the maestro turns 53, and the whole of India wishes him a happy birthday, it’s interesting to see the influences in Sachin’s life – on the field, off the field.
From a shy young boy, getting up early for the daily practice session, to his international debut at the age of 16, to a record 100 100s, Sachin led by example, and remained a lifelong ambassador of Brand India.
As is well known, the young Sachin took up batting – the image of a young Sachin, taking guard, probably with a home-made bat, remains immortal – because of his elder brother’s influence. If Mumbai’s Shivaji Park in Dadar was his earliest karmabhoomi, the whole of India – and much beyond – was to be his karmabhomi, as he grew in stature, and he left an imprint, innings after innings.
Whether it was the young Sachin facing Waqar Younis, or Kapil Dev making him feel comfortable during his international debut, whether it was his transition to the opener slot in one-dayers, or not-so-successful stint as the Team Captain, or much later, when it was about offering cricketing tips to a new generation of cricketers –from M S Dhoni to Sanju Samson, Little Master towered over other bigwigs, through his conduct, character, and conviction.
Much has been written about the influence of his wife Anjali – a medical doctor, a few years senior to him – on Sachin’s life. Little Master had a remarkable partnership with his Mumbai team mate Vinod Kamble, who was once touted as someone as talented. The different trajectories that the two cricketers’ lives and careers took, also showed how disciplined, meticulous and flawless Sachin Tendulkar was in every assignment that he took up. From Aamchi Mumbai’s favourtite son to Brand India’s ambassador, Sachin remained grounded and committed to peers, family, the larger community and country.
He also became a member of the Rajya Sabha, and it’s also said that his track record, as an MP, was not something that added to the overall sheen of Brand Sachin.
It’s, however, his rapport with his coach, Ramakant Achrekar, and his mother that was probably the most consequential and also much discussed. During public events, Sachin would often be seen standing beside Achrekar Sir, in gratitude. His mother and Sachin shared a bond that was often seen in pictures, occasionally shared with the media.
As Sachin grew in stature, and he smashed record books, and he remained true to his convictions and commitments, he also came to be revered as the God of Indian cricket. Brands rode on his popularity and appeal. His role and associations, in the later part of life, changed, with expert commentary and occasional media interviews replacing many a run chase and memorable innings. Stadium pavilions got named after him, and the maestro lent his voice to social causes, while fulfilling his commercial commitments at the same time.
What got reinforced in the process was the Gold Standard that Sachin Tendulkar set -- on the field, off the field. Truly, Amchi Mumbai’s favourite son became, and remains, one of Brand India’s finest ambassadors. |
