Sachin Tendulkar Played With A Lot Of Pain, He Always Put The Team Ahead - Robin Uthappa Recalls 2008 CB Series Triumph In Australia

Senior batsman Robin Uthappa takes a trip down memory lane to India’s historic 2008 Commonwealth Bank tri-series victory in Australia against the hosts and Sri Lanka. India defeated Ricky Ponting’s team in the first two of the best-of-three finals courtesy of brilliant batting performances from none other than Australia’s long-time nemesis, Sachin Tendulkar.

However, as Robin Uthappa reveals, Tendulkar was not completely fit – in fact, the master was batted “through a lot of pain” in the finals, and had the situation reached the third final, Tendulkar was unlikely to play in it.

Robin Uthappa marvels at the legend’s commitment and determination towards the side for playing through severe pain – he scored 117* in the first final, and 91 in the second final helping the team register memorable series win.

“You won’t believe it, Sachin Tendulkar… I call him paaji. He played with a lot of pain in that Commonwealth Bank series. He was not ok physically and he played through a lot of pain. There were times when he would wince in pain. We would ask him if he’s ok and he’ll be like ‘I’m fine’. He would always put the requirement of the team ahead and he would always do that. He played through a lot of pain,” Robin Uthappa said on The Grade Cricketer Podcast.

Today at 35, I want to tell you, he was bang on: Robin Uthappa

Robin Uthappa, a young batsman then having won the T20 World Cup in the prior year, revealed a conversation he had with Tendulkar where the opener tells him about the physical toll the game takes on one’s body when they enter his thirties. The former Kolkata Knight Riders batsman is 35 now and realizes Tendulkar was right all along.

“I remember we had a conversation with him in that series where he said ‘Robin, it’s so hard to keep yourself fit after 32, 33 and 34, because it gets that much more challenging, Injuries start taking a toll. I was just 21 or 22 when I had that conversation and I said ‘no paaji, you’re just saying this’. He said ‘Robin, when you’re 35, let’s have a conversation and see if you agree with me or not.’ And today at 35, I want to tell you, he was bang on,” the right-hander stated.

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