Former Indian captain Dilip Vengsarkar recently shared a heartwarming memory of a young Sachin Tendulkar’s impressive performance against spinners Arshad Ayub and Venkatapathy Raju during a Ranji Trophy match. Vengsarkar recalled the moment during the launch of the book ‘Fab Five The Pandavas of India’s Batting‘ in Mumbai, where he reflected on their partnership and Tendulkar’s phenomenal career trajectory.
The former cricketer reminisced about playing alongside Tendulkar for India and Mumbai, particularly highlighting a match against Hyderabad on a challenging, turning track. Vengsarkar vividly remembered Tendulkar’s adept handling of the spinners Ayub and Raju, which stood out to him as a sign of the Little Master’s bright future in cricket.
„I remember, we were playing against Hyderabad at Hyderabad on a turning track. Arshad Ayub and Venkatapathy Raju were bowling. They were very good and me and Sachin had a long partnership,“ Vengsarkar shared, highlighting Tendulkar’s exceptional performance on the turning track that hinted at his potential for a successful career in cricket.
Vengsarkar also recalled a memorable match in 1991 between Mumbai and Haryana in the Ranji Trophy final. Despite a valiant effort from both Vengsarkar and Tendulkar, Mumbai fell short by a mere two runs against Kapil Dev-led Haryana. The former chairman of selectors praised Tendulkar’s brilliant innings in that match, where he scored 96 runs in a challenging chase of 355.
In addition to reminiscing about Tendulkar, Vengsarkar also shared anecdotes about other legendary cricketers. He mentioned how former India skipper Sourav Ganguly, initially picked as a ‘fourth seamer‘ during a tour of Australia, expressed his desire to bat rather than bowl after being asked to go to the nets. Vengsarkar also praised Rahul Dravid for his gradual improvement as a player, emphasizing the importance of batsmen constantly evolving and adapting their game.
Furthermore, Vengsarkar highlighted the significance of VVS Laxman’s iconic 281 against Australia in Kolkata in 2001, which he described as a game-changer that shifted India’s mentality. He commended Laxman’s performance along with Rahul Dravid’s contribution in that historic match against a strong Australian team.
Overall, Vengsarkar’s recollections offer a fascinating insight into the careers of some of India’s greatest cricketers and the pivotal moments that shaped their legacy in the sport. His anecdotes serve as a reminder of the talent, determination, and resilience displayed by these cricketing legends throughout their illustrious careers.