From filling the water in Sourav Ganguly’s room to recommending him for the vice-captaincy, Sachin Tendulkar rekindled old memories with the BCCI president. Cricket News

New Delhi: For three and a half decades, Sachin Tendulkar has seen Sourav Ganguly in various incarnations – an unprecedented teenager, a talented Indian rival, a stylish batsman, a leader and a busy administrator.
But their friendship, which has stood the test of time to become India’s greatest batsman of all time, has continued even after the duo stopped playing international cricket.
As the BCCI president turns 50 on Friday, his “early partner” contacted PTI, sharing many insights about his friendship and how he saw Ganguly as the future captain while leading India.
Ask him how much freedom Ganguly gave to his players during his nearly five years as captain, Tendulkar was appreciating it.
Tendulkar said, ‘Sourav was a great captain. He knew how to balance giving players freedom and giving them some responsibilities.
“Indian cricket was in transition when he took over. We needed the next players who could build a platform to take India forward. ”
Tendulkar feels that Ganguly gave wings to many world-class players to fly and build their place.

PTI photo
“At that time we had top class players like Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, Zaheer Khan, Harbhajan Singh, Ashish Nehra. He was a talented player, but talented players need support early in their careers, which Sourav provided.
“While his role in the team was certain, he also got the necessary freedom of expression,” he said.
Master Batter then revealed that before the 1999 tour of Australia, this was his second last series as captain, it was clear in Tendulkar’s mind who was willing to accept responsibility if he decided to step down.
“Before leaving the post, I had suggested Sourav to be the vice-captain of the team during India’s tour of Australia,” Tendulkar said.
“I watched him closely, played cricket with him and knew that he had the right qualities to take Indian cricket forward. He was a great leader. That’s why I recommended his name.
“Sourav has never looked back and what he has achieved for India is for all of us,” Tendulkar said. Tendulkar later suggested that Mahendra Singh Dhoni be made the future captain.
The reason for the off-field friendship may be that, on the field, India have never been a good pair in white ball cricket. The duo have a total of 26 centuries to their name and 21 of these have come from batting together.

PTI photo
“Sourav and I gave our best. We wanted to do what the team wanted and we wanted to win matches for India.
Tendulkar, who has always been a symbol of humility, said, ‘But we never thought beyond that. We are thankful to the people that they considered us a good opening pair and we are grateful for what we could do for India.
First tour in 1991 and a spectacular comeback in 1996
Ganguly first played for India in 1992 and stayed in the desert until 1996, but the two remained in touch even when the landline telephone was the only means of connection.
“During the 1991 tour, Sourav and I shared a room. We enjoyed the time we spent with each other. We had known each other since our under-15 days, so we had a good relationship.
“We met a few times after the 1991 tour. Back then, like today, there were no mobile phones – so we couldn’t keep in touch on a regular basis. Even so, our friendship lasted for many years. ”
Junior year
They first met at the BCCI-organized junior tournament in Kanpur and then spent a lot of time together at the annual camp in Indore, which was organized by the BCCI when the late Vasu Paranjape was in charge.
“We played against each other in the tournament in Kanpur before the camp in Indore. We also went to England to represent the Star Cricket Club under the leadership of Kailash Gattani.
But we spent a lot of time together at the Indore under-15 camp and got to know each other. That was the beginning of our friendship. ”
Tendulkar recalls that he, another former Indian player and later national selector Jatin Paranjape (Vasu’s son) and another son, Kedar Godbole, literally “flooded” Ganguly’s room. He filled the room with water while he slept.
“I remember one afternoon, Sourav was asleep. Jatin Paranjape, Kedar Godbole and I filled their room with water. He got up and didn’t know what was happening, his suitcase was floating. He finally realized that it was me, Jatin and I. Kedar did.
“Friends make fun of each other and our childhoods were no different,” he laughed.
It was even more fun and sometimes adventurous during the first overseas tour of the United Kingdom with the Star Cricket Club.
“We used to live in schools like old forts and of course we were a little scared. To make matters worse, friends will gather and make plans to intimidate others.
“Years later, when I look back, these are moments of friendship that make me look different and make me laugh.”