Meet the men who had a ringside view of Sachin Tendulkar’s ‘firsts’
The HinduKailash Gattani and Lalchand Rajput have witnessed two of Sachin Tendulkar’s breakthrough career moments. At the age of 14, Tendulkar got an opportunity to travel to England for the first time, representing Gattani’s Star Club of India, whereas a year later, when Tendulkar made his Ranji Trophy debut for Bombay, Rajput was the captain. Though his talent had impressed both Rajput and Gattani, a former Rajasthan fast bowler, neither could imagine that Tendulkar would eventually go on to play 100 Tests and score 100 centuries in international cricket. Sachin Tendulkar and Lalchand Rajput follow the course of the ball during their unbeaten third wicket partnership for the Board President’s XI Wills Trophy cricket match at the Karnail Singh Stadium in New Delhi on September 21, 1991.