Sachin Tendulkar's heartfelt tribute for his father on his 25th death anniversary
Sachin Tendulkar Pic:X
Xtra Time Web Desk:On the 25th death anniversary of his father, Ramesh Tendulkar, legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar penned a heartfelt tribute, reflecting on the profound impact his father had on his life. The 51-year-old shared an emotional post on Instagram, commemorating the wisdom and kindness of his father, who passed away in 1999 during the ODI World Cup.
"It has been 25 years since Baba left us, but standing by his old chair today, it feels like he is still here. I was only 26 at the time, and now, at 51, I see even more clearly how much he impacted my life and the lives of many others," Tendulkar wrote. "Visiting this place after 43 years on his 25th death anniversary was incredibly emotional. His wisdom and kindness continue to inspire me. I miss you every single day, Baba, and I hope I am living up to the values you instilled in me."
Ramesh Tendulkar's passing forced Sachin to leave the World Cup midway and return to India for his father's last rites. Despite this personal tragedy, Tendulkar returned to the tournament, scoring a memorable century in his first match back against Kenya. His unbeaten 140 off 101 balls, adorned with 16 fours and three sixes, earned him the Player of the Match award. In a poignant moment, Tendulkar dedicated the century to his father, looking towards the heavens after reaching the milestone—a gesture that became a ritual throughout his career.
Tendulkar's Instagram post highlighted the enduring influence of his father’s teachings on his life and career. He expressed deep gratitude and continued inspiration from his father’s wisdom and kindness. This emotional tribute resonates with many who followed Tendulkar’s journey from a young cricketer to one of the greatest batsmen in the history of the sport.
In his biopic, "Sachin: A Billion Dreams," Tendulkar recounted how his wife, Anjali, traveled from India to London to personally inform him of his father's death. This led to Tendulkar missing India's second game of the World Cup against Zimbabwe, which they lost by three runs. However, his return to the team was marked by one of the most emotional and impactful performances of his career.
Sachin Tendulkar retired as the most prolific batter in international cricket, amassing over 34,000 runs and scoring 100 international centuries. His career, marked by numerous milestones, was often dedicated to the memory of his father, underscoring the deep personal motivation that fueled his success on the cricket field.
