Former Team India cricketer Suresh Raina has seen legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar from close quarters for a very long time. There have been innumerable dressing room anecdotes during Tendulkar’s career and recently Raina shared what the master blaster said after reaching his 100th international century.
Meanwhile, there was immense pressure on Tendulkar’s shoulder every time he walked out to bat. Every cricketer feels the pulse but Sachin Tendulkar had to put up with more during the long haul between his 99th and 100th international hundred.
My hair turned grey waiting for this moment – Sachin Tendulkar to Suresh Raina
Suresh Raina Raina remembers this incident when Tendulkar notched up his historic 100th international century in 2012 against Bangladesh in an Asia Cup game in Dhaka. A witty remark from the little master astonished Raina. He completed the landmark with a single off Shakib Al Hasan‘s delivery and had a very subdued celebration. But the southpaw saw a relief in Sachin Tendulkar’s eyes when he hugged after the unprecedented achievement.
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“I had many memorable moments with paaji once I started playing for India. The biggest one obviously is winning the 2011 World Cup, but apart from that, winning the CB series in Australia [in 2008], the ODI and Test series in New Zealand [in 2008-09], and becoming the No. 1 Test team. I was at the other end when paaji scored his 100th international hundred,” Suresh Raina told ESPNCricinfo.
“After he took a single off Shakib [Al Hasan] to reach the milestone, I congratulated him saying, ‘Well done, paaji, it was due for so many months.’ He said, ‘My hair has turned grey waiting for this moment.’ That’s when I realized how much mental weight he was carrying all that while,” Raina recalled.
Suresh Raina to return to action
Meanwhile, the star left-handed batsman is all set to return to action in the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy which gets underway on January 10. Raina last played during IPL 2019 before skipping the next edition owing to personal reasons.
The southpaw will look to hit the strides in the domestic T20 competition ahead of the next edition of the cash-rich league which is scheduled to take place in April-May.
