Sachin Tendulkar gives pep-talk

Master Blaster spends about two hours with the team at BKC stadium on Monday morning

Sachin Tendulkar may no longer be playing too many Ranji matches, but he always makes himself available whenever Mumbai require him for any kind of help. On the eve of team’s Group A’s Elite match against Hyderabad, the Master Blaster was seen giving a pep-talk to the players at the Mumbai Cricket Association’s Bandra Kurla Complex ground on Monday.

Tendulkar spoke to every player individually and discussed finer points of their game. He also had a long discussion with coach Pravin Amre, skipper Wasim Jaffer and senior batsman Amol Muzumdar over the team’s performance thus far in the season.

“Sachin always comes whenever the team needs him. Last year when we were not in a good position he came and boosted the team’s spirit with a pep-talk. It was nice of him that he came and spoke to every player individually today. His advice should do a world of good for the boys,” said Amre.

Sachin advised Sahil Kukreja on how to approach the game and build an innings. “It is always a delight to speak to a player of his stature. He told me about how should I approach the game and be positive whenever on the wicket. He also corrected some mistakes in my technique. It felt really nice to have him around,” opener Kukreja said.

Youngster Ajinkya Rahane, who is one of the leading scorers in the Ranji Trophy, was happy to get praise from Tendulkar. “He just told me to carry on with the same confidence and not overdo it nor underdo. I have played alongside him for the Mumbai Indian side and you just automatically get motivated and inspired by his presence,” said Rahane.

Though Mumbai are currently in the third place with 15 points from four matches in Group A. They have had a tough time overcoming the first innings total of Saurashtra in their previous match at Madhav Rao Scindia Stadium in Rajkot.