I Persuaded Ajit Wadekar to Let Me Open the Innings: Sachin Tendulkar

Legendary India cricketer, Sachin Tendulkar, extended his sincere condolences over the demise of former India skipper Ajit Wadekar on August 15 (Wednesday) at the age of 77.

Meanwhile, Tendulkar’s association with Wadekar dates back to 1992 when the latter joined the Team India as a manager. Talking about his trip to Zimbabwe and then to South Africa, Tendulkar admitted that it took some time to break the ice.

However, since then, it was all smooth, and they developed a good rapport with Ajit Wadekar.

“We first went to Zimbabwe and from there to South Africa with him, and during that trip, grew familiar with him. It took us time to break the ice, but over a period of time, I got to know him very well,” Sachin Tendulkar said.

The former batsmen further noted that Ajit Wadekar was always a step ahead of his game.

Tendulkar also revealed that he is a very jolly person to celebrate a win. However, he noted that when it came putting a point forward, he was dead serious.

“When we would be celebrating a win, he would be fun to be with, cracking jokes. But he would be deadly serious when it came to the game and he had to tell us something important,” Tendulkar notes.

I persuaded Ajit Wadekar to open: Sachin Tendulkar

Furthermore, Tendulkar revealed the most iconic story which changed the history of Indian cricket forever. He divulged on how he persuaded Wadekar to make him open the innings for India.

Sachin Tendulkar replaced Navjot Singh Sindhu, who was suffering from stiff back and since then, he didn’t look back.

“He did play a critical part in my becoming an opening batsman in one-day cricket (1994 Auckland, v New Zealand). Navjot Singh Sidhu had a stiff neck and I told Mr. Ajit Wadekar, I feel I should open the innings. I could only do that because we shared such a great rapport.

Ajit Wadekar has often backed Sachin Tendulkar, who emerged as the veteran professional in the gentleman’s game.

“‘I need only one chance, I know I can do it,’ I told him. We were very much on the same page and we went to captain Mohammed Azharuddin and the meeting happened at the ground (before the match). Azhar and Wadekar Sir agreed. And it was such a big decision because till then I had only batted at No 4 and No 6,” Tendulkar concluded.