Master Blaster and most successful batsman would have been a bowler, had it not been the REJECTION of Australian great Dennis Lillee.
Many knows that Sachin wanted to be a bowler at the first place and for this he went to MRF Pace Foundation in 1987 with an ambition to become a fast bowler. But only few knows that the man who denied his becoming a bowler and instead advised the then young Tendulkar to focus on his batting, was none other then Dennis himself.
Dennis on Monday recalled his first meeting with Sachin and said that he did cricket a favour by rejecting him.
"I think I did him and the game of cricket a favour. I am just joking, but I will never forget (the incident)."
Lille was then the coaching director of the foundation. And now after 25 years of service he will be retiring.
He said, "I actually feel very embarrassed because I rejected him as a fast bowler".
But Sachin made a comeback and the comeback even stunned Lillee.
Lille said, "When he came back a year later he was just 15 years or so. I was there behind the nets. The first ball Sachin faced he hit it behind the bowler for a four. Sachin flicked the next ball for a four as well. The bowlers were not able to get Sachin and he was hitting them out of the park".
"When he was still batting with about 48 runs or so from 12 balls, I asked (the then head coach) T A Sekar who is this boy. Sekar laughed and replied you should know him, he is the boy whom you rejected when he wanted to become a fast bowler," he added.
Dennis believes himself lucky to identify the talent that was hidden in little master.
"I was fortunate enough to see him before he made it to Test cricket and lucky enough to recognize him as the world's best. Sachin is a very humble man. He is the greatest player and batsman to have ever built played. He just amazes me on many counts, his eye for the game, hunger for the game and continued success," said the 62-year-old former cricketer".
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