ICC World Cup 2019 is well on its way and apart from Virat Kohli and his men in blue, we’re also excited about the nation’s three legends (Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag) together in the commentary box. When India lifted the cup in 2011 at Wankhede stadium, it was a moment of immeasurable joy for cricket fans.
And also for God himself.
Best moment of my cricketing life.🏏 @cricketworldcup @BCCI pic.twitter.com/WByz1Y4cxX
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) April 2, 2019
But did you know that he was seriously considering hanging up his gloves way back in 2007?
In an interview with India Today, the master blaster reveals,
“I felt that was it. At that stage, a lot of things happening around Indian cricket were not at all healthy. We needed some changes and I felt if those changes did not happen then I was going to quit cricket.”
He further added,
“I was almost 90 per cent sure of quitting cricket. But my brother told me in 2011 there is World Cup final in Mumbai, can you imagine holding that beautiful trophy in your hand?”
Apart from his brother’s advice, it was his inspiration and role model Sir Vivian Richards’ phone call that helped him change his mind about retirement.
Happy Birthday @ivivianrichards. My batting hero. The support that I have recieved from you throughout my career is something that I shall always cherish. pic.twitter.com/9tpOk7U2MF
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) March 7, 2019
Sachin reveals,
“After that, I went away to my farmhouse and that is when I got a call from Sir Viv, saying I know there is plenty of cricket left in you. We had a conversation for about 45 minutes and that was so heartwarming because when your batting hero calls you it means a lot. That was the moment things changed for me and from that moment onwards I also performed much much better.”
Can you even imagine the team winning the cup without Sachin? We’re so glad he didn’t quit in 2007 or we’d be robbed of the pleasure of watching him bat at his home ground and emerge victorious.