New Delhi: Sprint superstar Yohan Blake says his "childhood hero" Sachin Tendulkar's humility has touched many people around the world and the batting legend has left an ever-lasting legacy for everyone to follow.
The Jamaican sprinter said it was an "honour" for him to speak about Tendulkar, whose popularity transcends boundaries. Paying tribute to the batting maestro, who brought the curtains down on his glittering career after playing his 200th Test last week, Blake said it was amazing to see Tendulkar maintaining humility all these years.
"I want to say that he has left a legacy for everyone to follow. He is a humble man who has touched many people around the world. I hope they will follow in his footsteps," Blake told PTI in an exclusive interview.
Double silver medallist at the London Olympics, Blake is an ardent follower of cricket like his senior pro and fastest man on the earth, Usain Bolt - the first man to win six Olympic gold medals in sprinting.
The 23-year-old athlete is a big fan of Tendulkar and it has been his dream to bowl to Indian batting great at least once. "I remember the first time I was given the opportunity to speak to him, I told him that I wanted to bowl to you. I felt so honoured because Sachin is truly one of my childhood heroes," he said.
Blake takes time off from his busy schedule to follow whenever Tendulkar is batting and has a collection of the maestro's DVDs which he watches on and off. Asked how he feels about his icon retiring from the game, Yohan said, "When he announced his retirement, I said to myself it is sad that good things must come to an end. He has done so much not just for his country but for the world."
Blake always keeps himself informed about India and cricket through his country-mate and West Indies destructive opener Chris Gayle, who plays in the Indian Premier League for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
He had even expressed his desire to play in the IPL after completing his 200m silver medal run at the London Olympic stadium and had said 'Once I get the chance to play, I can even get out Sachin'. Blake saluted the champion batsman for the sheer amount of runs he has scored and his longevity.
"For a man to go out with 200 Test matches under his belt and over 15,000 runs, I have to salute him for that." The 23-year-old wished Sachin all the best for his post-retirement life.
"I wish him the best with his life after cricket. I bid him farewell and thank him for all he has done to inspire me and so many others," he said.
Tendulkar bowed out as the most successful batsman in international cricket with 15,921 runs in 200 Tests. In his ODI career, which ended last year, the Mumbaikar amassed 18,426 runs in 463 matches.
Tendulkar is the only batsman in international cricket to score 100 centuries. He was the first batsman to get a double hundred in one-dayers.
I grew up idolising Sachin: Bell
I grew up idolising Sachin: Bell
Brisbane: Describing Sachin Tendulkar as his childhood "hero", England batsman Ian Bell has said that he grew up idolising the legendary batsman and it was a privilege to have shared the same field with the just-retired cricketer.
"The mental side of his game was very important. Obviously, when I played against him he had been playing the game at the highest level for 15 years. I grew up idolising him and he was a real hero of mine," said Bell. "I feel very lucky and privileged to have shared the same field as him and played against him," he added.
Bell said Tendulkar was probably the only batsman in the world who could change the whole atmosphere of the ground.
"To play against Sachin was incredible. I am not sure there will ever be another Sachin Tendulkar. You knew that wherever you played against him, in England or India, when he came out to bat the whole atmosphere of the ground changed. There's not many players around the world who can do that," Bell was quoted as saying by 'The Daily Telegraph'.
Bell, who is preparing for the first Ashes Test, commencing here on Thursday, said the recently retired Indian icon would be immensely missed. "You just know watching him, just watching him go about his business, he was a genius in the game, someone who will be really missed. Obviously, he will never be forgotten but he will be missed. A great player and a pleasure to play against," said the England batsman.
Blake always keeps himself informed about India and cricket through his country-mate and West Indies destructive opener Chris Gayle, who plays in the Indian Premier League for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
He had even expressed his desire to play in the IPL after completing his 200m silver medal run at the London Olympic stadium and had said 'Once I get the chance to play, I can even get out Sachin'.
Blake saluted the champion batsman for the sheer amount of runs he has scored and his longevity. "For a man to go out with 200 Test matches under his belt and over 15,000 runs, I have to salute him for that."
The 23-year-old wished Sachin all the best for his post-retirement life. "I wish him the best with his life after cricket. I bid him farewell and thank him for all he has done to inspire me and so many others," he said.
Tendulkar bowed out as the most successful batsman in international cricket with 15,921 runs in 200 Tests. In his ODI career, which ended last year, the Mumbaikar amassed 18,426 runs in 463 matches.
Tendulkar is the only batsman in international cricket to score 100 centuries. He was the first batsman to get a double hundred in one-dayers.
