Carried around the Wankhede stadium by younger teammates during a victory lap after the World Cup victory over Sri Lanka in 2011, Sachin Tendulkar shared some memories of his World Cup experiences.

“Being a World Cup ambassador is truly an honour. It has happened for the second time. Last time I was ambassador and we played the 2011 World Cup. I was actually part of it (team), this time I am not.”

The batting maestro was speaking at the launch of ZSPORT, the special World Cup edition tyre by MRF Limited. The audience also got a look at the ICC CWC Trophy at the event. MRF is a global partner of the ICC CWC 2015 and Tendulkar’s association with the company goes back to the days an aspiring 12-year-old from Mumbai appeared for trials at the MRF Pace Academy in Chennai, hoping to become a fast-bowling all-rounder.

Rolling back the years, Tendulkar said: “The World Cup journey started for me in 1983. I watched India win an excellent final against the West Indies and then Kapil paaji holding that beautiful trophy on the Lord’s balcony.

“The next experience was even greater when I was a ball boy at the Wankhede and got to see all the superstars of Indian cricket from close. To complete that circle and become an ambassador of the 2011 and 2015 World Cup feels like I have come a full circle.”

India enters the World Cup 2015 as the defending champion with a nation watching, analysing, cheering and criticising team performances. Tendulkar will be in the stands, rooting for M.S. Dhoni’s squad.

Looking forward

“Whatever has come my way, right from my first World Cup in 1992, till the last World Cup and now I will be going to Australia in sometime, I am really looking forward to this experience because this is the first time that I won't be playing. It’s a new experience and I am looking forward to it.”

He has a message for this nation of cricket followers, two-time champion in the ODI format under Kapil Dev and Dhoni. “I used to bat for India on the field and now continue to bat off the field. Just like all of you, we all continue to bat for India, don’t we? Something that really matters to a sportsman is genuine support and that is what I would like to extend.”

The cricket icon is aware of how die-hard fans think and exhorts the nation to be with the boys as they step into the cauldron of competition. “You want them (Indian team) to go out and thrash the opposition, win each and every match but sometimes that is not possible. Sometimes you have to accept defeat but that can also be a learning experience in the World Cup.”

Tendulkar emphasised the thoughts of former teammates on the pitch in 2015. “There are going to be difficult moments, there are going to be obstacles along the way but not just the team, if you all are together, it becomes inspiring for the players to move forward, knowing that the nation is not sitting on top of their heads, but moving ahead along with them.”

Long association

Talking about his personal association with the company, he said: “My links with MRF goes back to the days when I was a 12-year-old wanting to become a fast bowler.

“I was a batsman though but wanted to become a fast-bowling all-rounder. My association started after playing for India in 1996 and it went on for a very long time. I never thought that post my cricketing years I would again be standing here with the MRF family.”

MRF new range of tyres sports a special ICC World Cup logo. MRF Limited MD Arun Mammen said: “MRF is extremely proud about its long-term association with cricket and excited about being a global partner of the World Cup 2015.

“The launch of this unique product is just a testimony to our commitment to the game. This is a global-first by MRF and we are confident that this product will connect instantly with cricket lovers.”
(The Hindu)