Sachin Tendulkar's humility inspires us: VVS Laxman

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Sachin Tendulkar's teammate VVS Laxman could not stop praising him. He spoke to DNA about his first captain.

Whatever Sachin has achieved in cricket everyone knows about it. Everyone knows what a spectacular career he has had. In spite of all his achievements, he has remained humble that is what I admire about him the most.

His parents have to be congratulated for his upbringing. He has been an inspiration for all of us, as to how he has carried himself in spite of all the fame.

He was my first captain, and he is a very good captain. It is unfortunate that (many of) the results did not go our way which should have gone in our favour under his captaincy. I got a lot of encouragement from him in my career. He was already an icon when I came into the team. He interacted a lot with us and helped me settle into the team.

It was under him, I scored my first hundred (167) at Sydney (2000) against Australia, which was an important innings in my career.

I have been very lucky to watch him at his best from the best seat in the stadium - that is the non-striker’s end — on a lot of occasions.

The one I can’t forget was his one-day innings against Australia at Sharjah, 1998. The way he demolished the Australian attack was unbelievable. I got some 20-odd runs in the 100-run partnership.

He was in such brilliant form that my role was only to provide him support as he single-handedly helped India qualify for the final with an innings of 143 (131 balls). The joy he has given to everyone is unbelievable and I wish him all the best.

Published: Monday, Dec 20, 2010, 2:51 IST | Updated: Monday, Dec 20, 2010, 12:12 IST
By Sanjjeev K Samyal | Place: Mumbai | Agency: DNA

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Indian Olympic Association vice-president V K Malhotra on Monday congratulated Sachin Tendulkar for scoring his 50th Test ton and said it is high time the champion batsman is bestowed with the Bharat Ratna. Tendulkar scripted history when he became the first batsman to notch up
50 Test centuries in the first cricket Test against South Africa in Centurion.

"It is a great achievement not only for Sachin but for the entire nation. We are really proud of him. I hope he continues to achieve many more such feats," Malhotra said.

"He is one of the sporting icons of our country and I feel it is time the country should honour him with the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award of India," he said.

"I hope he continues to play many more years for the country and manages to win the World Cup, the only trophy which has eluded him so far," added Malhotra, who is also the president of the Archery Association of India.