KOCHI: Two years into his retired life, Sachin Tendulkar has been on a path of exploration. Releasing an autobiography and launching a football team were a few in his line of action and on Saturday he added a previously untried activity– a boat ride in the backwaters.
Sachin, accompanied by two patrol vessels, took a speedboat ride for half-an-hour in the backwaters of Kochi and made a pitstop to check out a waterfront villa project of Prime Meridian Homes at Cheppanam, Panangad.
“It’s my first visit to the backwaters and I loved it so much,” said Sachin, sporting a Nehru jacket and a friendly smile. “I have been here for cricket but somehow I was never able to explore the beauty of Kerala,” he added.
The Bharat Ratna obliged the rhythmic chants of ‘Sachin Sachin’ from delirious neighbourhood children who climbed on terraces to have a better view of the icon as he posed for pictures from the villa’s balcony.
“Last year we came to Kochi for football with Kerala Blasters and I will keep coming here. It’s a fabulous place and the experience I’ve had is really nice,” said Sachin.
Ravi Shankar, founder of Prime Meridian Homes, said Sachin was happy with the ‘house’, but did not confirm if he had agreed to buy the property as speculated. Sources close to Sachin said he had not decided on purchasing the villa.
