Vinod Kambli, who co-starred with him in the opening partnership that launched them both into superstardom, said Sachin Tendulkar took the escalator, while he had taken the stairs.
As “The Master Laster” completes 20 years on cricket’s conveyor belt, collecting every record there is to collect, while the Kid from Kanjurmarg trips, gets up and trips again, Harsha Bhogle pays tribute in The Indian Express:
“Sachin Tendulkar may have inspired others to write poetry but he batted in robust prose. Not for him the tenderness and fragility of the poet, the excitement of a leaf fluttering in a gentle breeze. No. Tendulkar is about a plantation standing up to the typhoon, the skyscraper that stands tall, the cannon that booms. Solid. Robust. Focussed. The last word is the key. He loves the game deeply but without the eccentricities of the romantic. There is a match to be won at all times!
“But Tendulkar too was a sapling once….”
Read the full article: Solid. Robust. Focussed.
Also read: SACHIN TENDULKAR: 15,000?
churumuri 
I have never understood, where did Kambli failed, certainly not in the field.
Yes he is right, he did not had the escalator, of shastri and gavasker to back.
Certainly the power that be didn’t like the Hyphen…..tenda-kambli. They removed the Hyphen at the first opportunity to propel their “very own” to glory.
Kambli is Modern day Eklavya, don’t know how many would agree and feel shame towards the treatment meted out to him by the ” you know who”.
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What did Kambli not have — A level head and self confidence for starters?
Kambli wore his emotions on his sleeve on and off the field. It influenced his batting too. He is a testament to the fact that just talent cannot get you far ; you need application, commitment and focus. Another such example is Manjrekar. On the diametric opposite end of the spectrum, from Bombay as well, was Ravi Shastri — low on talent but high on determination/application. He came in as a bowler but went on to be an opener with just a leg glance, chapati shot and a loft on the on side(literally 0 offside shots sans the famous defense) to his credit.
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A highly overrated player among adoring mediocre besotted middle-class types!
I was watching TV in Mysore and suddenly the ‘other’ Kulla Little Master came along and started singing praises and hyms about the ‘Real Kulla’. So did several media types. For a moment I thought the reigning Kulla had met his maker! Only later I realized they were celebrating Kulla’s 20 years of service to the Nation…
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Very simply, He wanted this, the other wanted the things that also comes with this sometimes.
Happy 20 years in cricket Tendlya. Here’s to 20 more ;)
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haha DB saar, you got me to guffaw.
super.
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Oh, no.. Not another 20 years. It is time to Sachin to retire and make way for another young talent to get an opportunity to play for the nation. Having played so long and made tons of records, I don’t know how many have translated to wins. I agree first 10 years was delight where personal records did not bother him much. Hope he retires on his terms than being sacked (I know that will never happen).
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Khan,
Problem with kambli-azhar types is that they tend to self-destruct when they see money and the good life.
Think about it.
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@ Madhu Rao,
I am remembered of a line written by Andy Zaltzman a few months ago about Ravi Shastri. He was making a list of world’s dullest cricketers and had named the list “The titans of Tedium”. And about Shastri’s scoring pace and his even more Gavin Larsen like bowling he wrote, “If Shastri were to bowl to himself, cricket would have died long ago.”
@ Khan,
I am not surprised to know that your theory of victimization and self pity permeates every bit of your thought. Keep going!
@ Doddi Buddi,
Neevu bardhiradhu nimma hesarige anvarthakavaagiye idhe. Congratulations maarayare!
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Tendulkar is a self-centred individual. This fact can be confirmed by checking the ratio of match winning innings..or second inning centuries ratio(in tests).
This disproportion has reached such enormous heights, the moment Sachin starts scoring more..we are confirmed of an Indian loss.
Kambli was an emotional guy who expected Sachin to protect him. Well there is a limit to everything and Sachin was’nt there for him after a while.
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@Bhatre
I know some one will come back with time tested response, but surprised at unknown name!! You may coat it which ever way you like, but a guy like Laxman keeps getting chances where as Kambli never given one after 96 WC. What was his crime, emotional??? isn’t Indians supposed to be emotional. This is about the team where two bit talented guys given extended oppertunities…
Hmm .. you bring Azhar, interesting….let me get the context. Hey I don’t seem to get one. I don’t recall Kambli getting into match fixing, marrying bollywood starlets….etc etc. May be you can elaborate on that.
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That is exactly the question I am asking today!
What does this bachcha (SRT) have that the other bachcha (Dravid) does not? Mind you I like both the bachchas. But does not our Bengaluru bachcha deserve a fraction of the applause that the Mumbai bachcha gets?
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Kambli had basic flaws in his batting technique and never learned from it. His weakness to the short pitch delivery was clearly exposed by west indies, pakis and aussies. He could neither pull or hook well. Compared to him the other left hand batsman Sourav Ganguly had a perfect technique. We should not be comparing Tendulkar with Kamble at all. Tendulkar is in a different league altoghether. His range of shots, the compactness of his batting form has been universally acknowledged even by the greats like Don Bradman.
Compare Kambli with Ganguly or Dravid and then you will understand. COmpare him on different parameters like technique, reseliency, perseverance and discipline and then you get the answers. It is not just in cricket but in every field it is discipline and perseverance which takes people to great heights.
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Kambli had basic flaws in his batting technique and never learned from it. His weakness to the short pitch delivery was clearly exposed by west indies, pakis and aussies. He could neither pull or hook well. Compared to him the other left hand batsman Sourav Ganguly had a perfect technique. Add to this his binge drinking and chasing skirts. We should not be comparing Tendulkar with Kamble at all. Tendulkar is in a different league altogether. His range of shots, the compactness of his batting form has been universally acknowledged even by the greats like Don Bradman.
Compare Kambli with Ganguly or Dravid and then you will understand. Cmpare him on different parameters like technique, reseliency, perseverance and discipline and then you get the answers. It is not just in cricket but in every field it is discipline and perseverance which takes people to great heights. Wonder why Kumble could succeed while the highly overrated leggies like Hirwani and Sivaramakrishnan flopped. It is Kumble’s single minded discipline and his focus.
Look at the way Dravid built his career, he even became a wicket keeper to cement his place in the team. He added value by working on his strenghts and hiding his weakness. Thn he improved and improved his batting technique. This is a lesson in discipline and team work 101.
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Dear All,
What about our own kulla Vishwa?!! IMHO He is the colossus among all Kullas!
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