'Ashok Dinda Came And Started Glaring At Sachin Tendulkar. Then, He...': Ex-India Batter Recalls Master Blaster's Fiery Reply In A 2007 Match

Sachin Tendulkar, a former Indian hitter, is widely recognised as one of the best players in cricket history. Tendulkar, who holds the record for the most runs scored in ODIs and Tests, enjoyed much respect from opponents throughout his playing days for his batsmanship.

The bowlers were careful not to anger Tendulkar with their actions or words, so they deliberated before sledging the “Master Blaster.” While commentating on the third ODI between India and the West Indies, former cricketer Deep Dasgupta related the story of an Indian bowler who made the same error. 

When Bengal and Mumbai faced off in the 2007 Ranji Trophy final, Mumbai had an XI that included stars like Tendulkar, Zaheer Khan, Ajit Agarkar, Wasim Jaffer, and a teenage Rohit Sharma.

Deep Dasgupta Recalls Ashok Dinda vs Sachin Tendulkar 2007 Ranji Trophy Final Battle

Dasgupta described an event from that match. Ashoke Dinda, a teenage player for Bengal who would later make several appearances for India, was on that squad. Dasgupta, the Bengal captain at the time, recounted how Dinda stared at Tendulkar after striking him in the elbow, to which the India batter responded stylishly. 

“It was the Ranji Trophy final between Bengal and Mumbai. I was the captain of Bengal, we had won the toss and opted to bowl. It was a wet wicket and they had lost a few quick wickets. It was a proper Mumbai side, with Zaheer, Ajit, Rohit.. you name it,” Dasgupta began. 

“They lost two wickets early and Sachin came out to bat. It was the first season of Ashoke Dinda, he was young and fast.

I had already told him, ‘With Sachin, you just come and bowl’. Dinda had this habit at that time that whenever he would beat the batter, he would just take 2-3 extra steps in his follow throw and glare at him. So, I categorically told him, ‘Don’t say anything to Sachin’.” 

Sachin Tendulkar Made Ashok Dinda Pay: Deep Dasgupta

After a few deliveries, Dinda did gaze at Sachin Tendulkar, and the batsman ultimately scored a century (105) in the innings. 

“Then, on one ball, he bowls a little short, it bounces off the wicket and hits Sachin on the elbow. He shakes his hand, it was clear that he was hurt. And then, Dinda comes and starts glaring at him. I was like, “What are you doing man!”.

I came running towards him, put my hand on his shoulder and said, ‘go back, go back’. And then, Sachin got an 80 or a 100 (105). So, you got to be careful about what you speak to whom. Because players like him can punish you,” Dasgupta finished. 

Mumbai ultimately defeated the opposition by 132 runs. 

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