Sachin Tendulkar's records on lips and a job request in hand
Like everyone here, Ajeet Singh Tanwar, a daily labourer from Sikar in Rajasthan wanted to catch a glimpse of Sachin Tendulkar before the legend hangs his boots next month. But unlike most of those spectators who are looking for an I-was-there moment, Tanwar is a walking encyclopaedia on Tendulkar!
Just give him a Test match number, and Tanwar will tell you the number of runs Tendulkar scored in that game without batting an eyelid. The class X pass, who works as a mason, has earned fame, thanks to Tendulkar-worship, but little beyond that. And so desperate are times for him that Tanwar has now requested Tendulkar to help him find a job.
"I met Sachinji in the Mumbai dressing room on Monday. I handed over a four-page letter to him. I have written everything about myself in it - my life and my problems. I have also requested him to help me find a regular job for myself and my wife," Tanwar told MiD DAY yesterday.
"Sachinji is a great man. I hope he will understand my misery. I have also written a poem dedicated to him in the letter," added Tanwar. He and his wife met Sachin this January at the Palam ground in Delhi when Mumbai played Services in the Ranji Trophy semi-finals. He made the same request there and according to Tanwar, Tendulkar promised him some help.
Tanwar was introduced to Tendulkar by an official from the Haryana Cricket Association and the maestro was surprised after meeting him. "Sachin asked me how many run he made in his 155th Test match. I told him he scored 37 and 103 against England in Chennai and India won that match.
Then he asked me the score of his 130th Test. I told him it was in Nagpur and his scores were 16 and 28," said the 32-year-old. Tendulkar also asked him about his score in his 80th and 16th Test matches. Tanwar was spot on. Surprised with his answers, Tendulkar just smiled and gave him an autographed t-shirt of the Mumbai team.