Master Blaster bonds with the young

Prodigy, legend, passionate, brilliance and humanitarian — these were some of the words that the little winners of the ‘Sunfeast Dream Cream Eat n Meet Sachin’ contest and ‘Sunfeast Milky Magic All Rounder’ contest used to describe Sachin Tendulkar.

     The youngsters went to meet the cricketing legend carrying their own small bats, autograph books and armed with cameras. After all they were going to meet Sachin.
Excitement was in the air and the heat on the terrace of ITC Gardenia didn’t matter to them at all.

   Organisers prepared each one of them and repeatedly told them that once the ‘Master Blaster’ arrived, everyone (including the parents as well) had to be on their best behaviour.

   And right on cue, Sachin made his entry dressed in a casual black tee and jeans and eagerly listened to all the things the children had to say. Not only did they get awarded by the cricketer, but they also got to have an interactive session with him.

Most of them wanted to know who Sachin’s role model is. To which he replied, “When I was your age, I adored Sunil Gavaskar. I admired his dedication, focus and determination. I have always wanted to be like him. With reference to players from other nations, I admire Vivian Richards for his aggressive batting, which looked effortless. He effortlessly hit balls that would go at speeds of 80 to 100 miles per hour. What he had was sheer talent. The opposition would think twice before bowling to him. I always wanted to be like him, but it is difficult to match him.

However, I still dream of getting somewhere close to both of them.”
No one can forget how most cricket fans eagerly waited for Sachin’s 100th century.
One young winner of the contest wanted to know how Sachin himself felt when he hit that ball. And the ‘Master Blaster’ smiled, almost like he relived that moment.

“You would have noticed the expression on my face. I was asking god, ‘why did it take so long, when there are billions of people waiting for it to happen’.  When I was in the 98th century, it was forgotten amid the World Cup fervour. After the World Cup, every time I missed the century it was discussed. So I kept asking myself where I was falling short. But I tell myself such is life. It is better late than never,” he adds.

The children might not have got more than a few minutes to spend with their idol but no doubt, for them it was the opportunity of a lifetime.