The Difference in Commitment: Sachin's Lahli Story vs. Today's Priorities in Indian Cricket

Sachin Tendulkar was playing his last test series against the West Indies at home in 2013. Just about a week ahead of the series, the great man decided to play a Ranji Trophy game for Mumbai against Haryana to 'prepare' for the series.

The Haryana Cricket Association was taken aback by this decision. After all, the game was being played at Lahli, a ground in the middle of rice fields near Rohtak, where there was no five star accommodation. The HCA offered to arrange the maestro's accommodation in Gurugram and also facilitate his daily travel.

But Tendulkar refused the offer and stayed with the rest of the boys in the stadium complex. He scored a fighting hundred on a green track in the second inning to get Mumbai a win. The West Indies weren't a great side then. The man had already scored 50 test hundreds, but he still wanted to prepare for a red ball series where he was going to represent his country.

When did Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma last play first-class Cricket? Forget them, nowadays, the likes of Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan also have to be kicked on their backs to make them play first-class Cricket. IPL is easy money and instant fame! What else do you need??

(This anecdote was shared by Vikrant Gupta in an आज तक podcast yesterday)