'He Wanted to Be the Best in the World...,' Ravi Ashwin Remembers Sachin on his 50th Birthday
Ravi Ashwin and Sachin Tendulkar (BCCI)
Legendary Indian off-spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin paid a glowing tribute to Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar on the occasion of Master-Blaster's 50th birthday.
In an excerpt from Boria Majumdar's "Sachin@50", Ashwin explained how Tendulkar's patience, resilience, and determination shaped up the Tamil Nadu cricketer's career.
Ashwin was one of the 2011 World Cup-winning squad members, and he had a first-hand experience of Tendulkar's drive and passion for the marquee trophy, and how he would prepare to give himself the best possible chance of performing at the grandest stage of them all.
Tendulkar finished as India's leading run-scorer in that event, and while he failed in the grand final, his efforts in helping India reach there can never be overlooked.
Thankfully for Sachin and India, the likes of Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni came up trumps that night to fulfil his and the nations' dream.
Ashwin further paid tribute to Sachin's single-minded pursuit of excellence, which kept the flame of passion burning in his heart for more than two decades.
Here's what Ashwin said on Sachin Tendulkar:
“I played some of my cricket with Sachin (Tendulkar), and the high point has to be the 2011 World Cup. He had waited 22 years for the world title, yet again, it defined him. He had never given up hope and was putting in the hardest possible effort to achieve his dream,”
"He wanted to be the best in the world, and nothing else would suffice. That was him. All hard work and self-belief, and single-minded pursuit of excellence. He inspired me greatly in trying to become the cricketer I am. To try and excel each time I stepped onto the field wearing the India jersey. Be the best version of myself against the best of opponents. It was fitting that we dedicated the 2011 World Cup triumph to him."
Sachin, who is celebrating his 50th birthday today, called time on his glittering career in November 2013, leaving behind a legacy that has now been immortalized into the annals of the cricket folklore.
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