On the eve of India’s most celebrated cricketer Sachin Tendulkar's birthday former Indian wicket-keeper Nayan Mongia recalled the century that batting maestro scored on his 25th birthday in the final of Sharjah Cup against Australia where he ended up scoring 134.
According to the recent reports of Deccan Chronicle, Mongia was quoted saying, "Tendulkar was born to play Cricket only and he should continue his hunger of runs for as long as possible. He has got that ultimate gem of winning the World Cup in his crown and the way he has carried himself on and off the field is something which earns him a great respect not only from his teammates but the whole Cricket fraternity."
Mongia recalled his 89-run partnership with Master Blaster of finals of Sharjah Cup, in which he rip apart the best Aussie pace attack of that time and gave Shane Warne some mighty blows.
Mongia was quoted by Times of India saying, “He is player who has honed his batting talent by hitting the nets day in and day out; it was a special feeling to see him batting him from the non-strikers end. It’s great to see him looking so fit in his 40 and I wish to god that Tendulkar keeps on scoring heaps of runs in his last phase of his career.”
Meanwhile, Ross Taylor showered all his praises on batting legend and was quoted saying, “It takes a lot to be mentally fit at this age and the passion he has for this game is simply unmatchable. Anyone who wants to be somewhere close to Sachin; should have that much amount of hunger of runs so that one can keep going on and on like him.”
As per the reports in Indian Express, Taylor was quoted saying, "I will tell my grandchildren that I played against the best sportsman of all-time. Playing against your childhood idol is always a special feeling and I feel blessed that I have played with and against Sachin.”
New Zealand's bowling coach Shane Bond said it is such an amazing feeling to have played against such a player who has won so many matches for India and add to that the records that he has made and broken can leave you stunned.”
He was quoted by Deccan Herald, "Master has come a long way which is not so easy for any one in future to do so and the way he carries himself in all formats of the game makes him a very special player. His ability to reinvent himself takes him down to all-time greatest and the best part is that the whole Cricketing World relishes his batting not just his countrymen.”