'I Will Strangle Him If...': When Sunil Gavaskar Gave A Stern Warning To Young Sachin Tendulkar
Sunil Gavaskar's playful warning to a young Sachin Tendulkar goes viral (X)
In Indian cricket, two names shine brighter than the rest—Sunil Gavaskar and Sachin Tendulkar. Gavaskar, the original 'Little Master,' revolutionized Indian batting with his flawless technique and steely determination.
Decades later, Tendulkar, fondly dubbed the 'Master Blaster,' took the baton from his idol and took Indian cricket to unprecedented heights. While Sunil Gavaskar was the first Indian to breach the 10,000-run barrier in Test cricket, it was Tendulkar who shattered every possible batting record, becoming a global icon of the game.
Sunil Gavaskar's witty warning to young Tendulkar resurfaces
An old video featuring Gavaskar predicting Tendulkar’s legendary career has recently resurfaced, reigniting memories of how one cricketing legend foretold the rise of another. Gavaskar’s lighthearted yet earnest prediction not only captured the young Tendulkar’s immense potential but also added weight of expectation that Sachin met—and exceeded.
In the now-viral video, a young Sachin Tendulkar humbly receives words of both advice and warning from Gavaskar.
"If at the end of his career, he does not get a minimum of 15,000 runs and 40 Test centuries, I shall personally go and strangle him," Gavaskar quipped, revealing his high expectations for the prodigy.
Gavaskar further urged Tendulkar to not let him and Indian cricket down.
“20 years down the road my hands will not have the strength so he might still survive, but I think I will deputize somebody to do that for me. He's got that much talent. Sachin I hope you will not let me down, not let Indian cricket down,” added the legendary cricketer.
Tendulkar, with a smile, responded modestly, 'I will be trying my best.'
Tendulkar’s staggering career - A journey like no other
The numbers that followed is proof of Tendulkar's incredible work ethic and his hunger for greatness. Sachin Tendulkar not only met Gavaskar's challenge head-on but surpassed it in a manner that left the world of cricket in awe.
With 15,921 Test runs and 51 Test centuries, Tendulkar soared to heights unimaginable even in Gavaskar's wildest dreams. It was not just his consistency, but his knack for scoring under pressure that cemented his place as one of the greatest cricketers of all time.
The 'Master Blaster' also became a giant in the One-Day International (ODI) arena. With 18,426 runs, including 49 centuries, Tendulkar turned the cricket field into his playground.. Adding to his illustrious achievements, he became the first male cricketer to score a double hundred in ODIs.
Tendulkar’s records read like a cricketing fairytale: 200 Test matches, 100 international centuries, and over 34,000 international runs. His discipline, work ethic, and passion for the game left his critics in the dust and set benchmarks that may stand the test of time.
With every run he scored, Tendulkar not only fulfilled Gavaskar's prophecy but also etched his name in cricket history. Gavaskar's playful threat may have lost its teeth, but Tendulkar ensured that Indian cricket never had anything to worry about.