I can understand the pressure Sachin's son is enduring: Rahul Mankad

Rahul Mankad, the only surviving son of legendary cricketer Vinoo Mankad, said he can understand the kind of pressure Sachin Tendulkar's son Arjun (13) is enduring as a young cricketer.

"While there was tremendous pride and joy being Vinoobhai's son, the sheer weight of expectation and pressure to live up to his stature was unfair and impossible to achieve. I was frankly unhappy on being known as someone's son and brother," said Rahul, the younger brother of Test player Ashok. His elder brother Atul was a first-class player like himself.  

Rahul (57) migrated to Australia in 1984. He played for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy from 1975-76 to 1984-85. Rahul added: "After being away for 30 years, I have now grown up and matured to understand what all this means.

I am totally humbled by the experience. I can imagine what poor Arjun is going through," he said while speaking during The Legends Club - Mankad on Mankad function to commemorate the 96th birth anniversary of Vinoo Mankad at the Cricket Club of India on Friday.

Recollecting some memories of his father, Rahul said: "To us, he was Vinoobhai not father or Papa. He was a cool guy, ahead of his times. In those days, I didn't understand why he resigned from all committees after we started playing. He said, 'I do not want my name to be tainted'.