Sachin Tendulkar turns 44: 25 surprising facts about the Master Blaster you probably didn't know

As Sachin Tendulkar turns 44 today, let us take a look at 25 lesser known facts about the 'Master Blaster'.
Indian sporting icon Sachin Tendulkar (File | AP)
Indian sporting icon Sachin Tendulkar (File | AP)

Ever since Indian sporting icon Sachin Tendulkar retired from internation cricket three years ago his absence on the field is missed immensely by the fans. As Sachin turns 44 today, let us take a look at 25
lesser known facts about the 'Master Blaster'.

1. Sachin's father Ramesh Tendulkar was a huge fan of musician Sachin Dev Burma, after whom he name Sachin.

2. Formed Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly addresses Sachin as Chhota Babu' while Sachin calls Ganguly by the name 'Babu Moshai'.

3. The 'Master Blaster' might have a wide range of cars parked outside his house but Sachin's first car was Maruti 800.

4. Sachin who is usually considered as a calm and composed person on the cricket pitch was considered as a bully in school.

5. During his younger day Sachin was aspiring to become a fast bowler but was rejected by Dennis Lillee's MRF Pace Foundation in 1987.

6. Sachin is very possessive about his Ferrari. Even his wife Anjali is restricted from driving it.

7. In 1995, Sachin in disguise spotting a beard went to catch up Mani Ratnam's Roja movie. But things did not go as planned as his coolers fell and people recognized him.

8. During an interview to a Marathi new channel Sachin revealed that he has a weakness for 'Vada Pao'.

9. When Sachin was 14-year-old he has taken up the role of a ball boy in the 1987 world cup match between India and Zimbabwe held at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium.

10. In 1988 at the Brabourne Stadium, Sachin has fielded as a substitute for Pakistan during a one-day practice match against India.

11. When Sachin signed a five-year contract worth Rs 31.5 crore with World Tel in October 1995 he became the richest cricketer in the world.

12. Sachin has a passion for collecting watches and perfumes.

13. In 1992, Sachin became the first batsman in an international match to be adjudged out by a third-umpire.

14. The first brand that Sachin endorsed was Boost in 1990. Who could ever forget Sachin's voice echoing 'Boost is the secret of my energy'.

15. In Sachin debut matches in the Ranji, Duleep and Irani Trophy, Sachin started off by smashing centuries.

16. Sachin played his Ranji debut under the captaincy of former Indian cricketer Ravi Shastri.

17. Sachin scored his monumental 50th Test ton with his favorite vampire bat.

18. When the 'Little Master' made his Test debut against Pakistan he played wearing the pad gifted by Sunil Gavaskar.

19. Sachin is a diehard fan of former Tennis world number 1 John McEnroe.

20. Until the fag end of 1996 world cup Sachin did not possess a bat contract.

21. Considered to be a prankster, Sachin once had used a hose pipe and turned on the water in Sourav Ganguly's room.

22. The 'Master Blaster' holds a record for most ODI runs scored in a calendar year. Sachin had scored 1,894 ODI runs in 1998.

23. In 1992 Sachin became the first overseas signing for Yorkshire.

24. Sachin scored 49 centuries from 463 ODI's, but his first century came only in his 79th match against Australia in Colombo.

25. The 'Master Blaster' is only the third cricketer after Gary Kirsten and Steve Waugh to score centuries against all Test playing nations.

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