Mohammad Kaif shared an incident highlighting why Sachin Tendulkar truly deserves the title of the ‘God’ of cricket.
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Sachin Tendulkar: A Legend Who Valued Team Above All
There is a reason Sachin Tendulkar is called the ‘God’ of cricket. The Master Blaster built a legendary career not just with his extraordinary batting skills but also with his deep respect for the game. For instance, when Yuvraj Singh once threw a bat in anger after getting out, Tendulkar reminded him to respect the equipment that ‘gave him everything’—a reflection of his character beyond the stats.
For Sachin Tendulkar, playing for the team always came first. Contrary to some claims that he prioritised records over victories, the numbers tell a different story: India won 33 of the 49 ODIs in which Sachin Tendulkar scored centuries, a win rate of 67%.
Former India batter Mohammad Kaif shared how Tendulkar emphasised team bonding over individual space. “Now players have become more professional. I was a coach in the IPL, and I noticed players would finish practice and head straight to their hotel rooms, either spending time on their phones, watching movies, or playing games. But when we played, we spent a lot of time together during practice. Nowadays, there are cars ready for players so that they can leave after they are done with practice. In our time, we would always leave together. Even Sachin Tendulkar, after finishing his batting and fielding drills, he would wait for the last player and say, ‘Finish practice first, then we’ll go together,'” Kaif said on the Cheeky Singles Show on JioHotstar.
Over his 25-year career, Tendulkar witnessed the full spectrum of cricket—the highs, the lows, the triumphs, and the heartbreaks. From his debut under Kris Srikkanth to finishing under MS Dhoni, he played across three generations of cricketers, experiencing the evolution of player celebrations, training, and support systems along the way.
How the game has evolved
“Nowadays, the frequency of matches has increased a lot. I remember when I played in the NatWest Trophy final in July. My next ODI was only three months later at the ICC Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka. Back then, there were fewer matches, and we always got breaks in between, with time for conditioning camps. Now, teams just travel from one match to the next. That’s why there’s so much focus on physios and doctors—players need to take care of their bodies. Fitness has become a huge part of the game. Players now even travel with personal chefs and trainers. All these things have increased compared to our time,” Kaif added.
“Back in the day, when I played for India, we never planned celebrations, nor were we even aware if a camera was recording a moment that would be replayed multiple times. We were straightforward. But nowadays, players know exactly when the camera is on them and how they will celebrate. The awareness has grown, largely because of mobile phones and social media. Highlights are everywhere, and new players aren’t holding back while celebrating.”
