NEW DELHI: Sachin Tendulkar on Tuesday looked back on a remarkable act of courage by former India cricketer Gursharan Singh, who walked in to bat at No. 11 with a broken hand just to help the young Mumbai prodigy complete a fighting century in the 1989–90 Irani Cup clash between Rest of India and Delhi.
In a one-sided contest at the Wankhede Stadium, a dominant Delhi side thrashed Rest of India by 309 runs. Amid the collapse, Tendulkar stood tall, crafting a valiant 103 - the only innings of substance apart from WV Raman's 41.
Chasing an improbable 554, Rest of India slumped to 209 for nine when Gursharan Singh, despite a fractured hand, bravely came out to partner Tendulkar. The pair added 36 gritty runs for the final wicket, allowing the teenager to reach his century before ROI were eventually dismissed for 245.
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"As they say, promises are meant to be kept. I feel I'll go a step further and say that promises are meant to be kept, but also meant to be delivered... and that is what is our DNA," Tendulkar recalled at an Ageas Federal Life Insurance event in Mumbai.
"I can recall an incident... long way back in 1989 when I was playing Irani Trophy. This was a trial match before one got selected for India. I was batting in the 90s, and my partner, Gursharan Singh, had an injury - a broken hand - and he wasn't supposed to bat.
"But he was asked by the chairman of the selection committee, Raj Singh Dungarpur, to go out and bat and support his teammate. Gursharan came and helped me reach my hundred and I got selected to play for India after that. Afterward, Gursharan also became part of the Indian cricket team," he added.
Tendulkar said the gesture from Gursharan, who made a solitary appearance each in Tests and ODIs for India, was something that touched his heart.
"I thanked him profusely on the ground and in the dressing room because it was a big thing for him to come out with a broken hand," Tendulkar said.
"Just stepping out with a broken hand was significant. Whether I scored a hundred or not was secondary. His intent and attitude mattered most to me (and) that truly touched my heart," he added.
(With PTI Inputs)
