Yuvraj Singh and Sachin Tendulkar

Mumbai: Yuvraj Singh spoke to The Telegraph on Friday evening, exclusively on (who else?) Sachin Tendulkar. Often, he turned emotional.

Excerpts...

Q When did you first hear of Sachin?

A I first heard of and saw Sachin during a juniors’ tournament in Chandigarh... I must have been 11 or so and was at the ground with my parents (Shabnam, Yograj)... Father told us that ‘the boy from Mumbai was very interesting’.

But when did you first meet Sachin?

Some years later, again in Chandigarh, when Kapil Dev introduced us... It was probably at a hotel... We didn’t say anything more than a ‘hi’ and a ‘hello’, though.

So, for a proper interaction with Sachin, did you have to wait for late 2000, when you got picked for India for the first time?

Yes... It happened during a camp at the MRF Pace Academy (in Chennai) before we left for the ICC KnockOut in Nairobi... Sachin shook hands with me and I didn’t wash the right one the entire day! That was the level of excitement.

Is there anything else you recall?

Actually, I’d been the last to enter what was the dressing room area and the only chair left to occupy was the one next to Sachin... I told the coach (Aunshuman Gaekwad) that I couldn’t sit there, but he encouraged me to do so, saying Sachin was cool... Later, Aunshubhai made my day when he announced ‘Sachin and Yuvraj next at nets’... After the day’s training, I telephoned my parents and friends to tell them I’d batted in the net adjoining the one where the Sachin Tendulkar was batting. That session had meant so much to a rookie like me.

Who gave you your India cap?

Sachin, before the match against Kenya... I’d been hoping he’d present it and I wasn’t disappointed.

What did you make of Sachin, the person?

You form an impression when you watch somebody on the TV... Sachin was (and is) shy, but I was even more shy... It couldn’t have been otherwise... You can’t straightaway open up in front of your idol.

Over the years, have your impressions changed?

They’ve been reinforced. It’s incredible how Sachin has remained so grounded... He’s had a great family... Parents, siblings, (wife) Anjali... I’ve never seen him throw the bat in anger or raise his voice while talking to somebody... Sachin’s been an incredible human being. He respects the game, respects opponents... Indeed, respects everybody. Look at the way Sachin sought the blessings of the Wankhede wicket before starting his innings on the first day.

Have you ever thrown your bat, in disgust, in the dressing room?

I did once, during the ODIs at home against Australia in 2003-04.

Then?

The next day, Sachin said something I haven’t forgotten since --- ‘never disrespect anything which gives you your livelihood’. He taught me to never disrespect the game.

Sachin, clearly, has been a big influence on your life...

(Emotionally) Of course... I’ve always gone to Sachin during my troubles... I sought his advice on a tour of Sri Lanka when Ajantha Mendis was troubling me... He himself called me for dinner on the eve of the 2011 World Cup, telling me that I’d matter when it mattered the most... That helped me become the player I was in that tournament... That’s why I dedicated my award (Most Valuable Player) to Sachin.

Just how will India miss Sachin?

A part of every Indian will go with Sachin’s departure... You can’t explain everything in life... He gave us players confidence, he gave India so much confidence... Look at the way he bounced back after injuries... Back, elbow, shoulder... People keep talking about passion, but that’s because Sachin has been so passionate. Cricket has been Sachin’s life, Sachin has been our life.

You’ll be missing Sachin...

A lot... What’s comforting is that this relationship will continue... I’ve got an elder brother and a friend for life... Sachin’s having a great send-off and he’s deserved every bit.

What will you tell Sachin after his last day in the office, so to say?

I’d like to say a lot, but I don’t know what will come to mind. This is a tough question.

Tough times for millions...

It’s understandable.

Finally... For all the sadness, you must still be happy that you can bank on Sachin’s guidance at such a critical time in your career...

As a professional, I’ve tried everything, have given cricket my best shot... Yet, things haven’t always gone my way... Technically, I’m not as strong as my idol, but let’s see where I go... Let’s see how far I go.