How Sachin Tendulkar Transformed Footballer Sandesh Jhingan's Life

Indian footballer Sandesh Jhingan on Tuesday revealed how iconic cricketer Sachin Tendulkar's motivational words worked like a balm when he was left dejected after losing the ISL final.(Kerala Blasters Lose to Atletico de Kolkata in ISL Final)

"There will be lows in everyone's life. And for me, the loss in the Hero ISL final came as a big disappointment. We were depressed and that's when someone put an arm on my shoulder. It was Tendulkar. 'Get over it. It took me six attempts to win the World Cup'. This came from the best ever," Jhingan told reporters here.

Tendulkar is co-owner of the Kerala Blasters Football Club, which lost the inaugural ISL final to Atletico de Kolkata, last December.

Jhingan said these inspirational words changed his philosophy and taught him not to stop dreaming.

"These words made me understand that you can never quit from dreaming. That separates the best from the rest. The rest may quit but the best will always carry on," he said.

Jhingan is a part of the Indian squad that has been preparing for the 2018 World Cup Preliminary Qualification match against Oman scheduled for Thursday at Sree Kanteerava Stadium.

Lavishing praise on Stephen Constantine, Jhingan said the Team India Head Coach has been a great motivator besides being a shrewd tactician, and his talks gives him goosebumps.

"Stephen Constantine is such an inspirational man. He always demands discipline - on and off the pitch. He is a great motivator besides being a shrewd tactician. His talks gives me goosebumps," he added.

Jhingan also said Constantine believes in leading the team instead of issuing orders, and that was evident when he took the team to the Army Training Centre.

"The other day Constantine took us to the Army Training Centre. It was a test of our psyche. When we first saw our Army jawans demonstrating, we all were shocked. But we went out of our comfort zone and took it on," Jhingan said.

The Indian footballers had underwent army training here at the Army Service Corps Centre here where they were put through obstacle courses consisting of 21 different barriers and also team building recreational games.

"Constantine was one among the first to take up the challenge. That was an inspiration. Given his age, he raised the stakes. He just didn't order. He led us. The first step was difficult. But once into it, you carried on. That separates the best from the rest. The rest asks you to do it, the best leads," he added.

Asked about June 11 match against Oman, Jhingan said the visitors are a good side but Team India needs to be realistic and optimistic.

"It is a tough group. Oman are a very good side. But if you want to dream, you should never be afraid. We need to believe in the system, our abilities. The entire team needs to dream big," he said.