'Foreigners used to stand in queues to get his autograph' - Rajeev Shukla recalls Sachin Tendulkar's stardom

Sachin Tendulkar has played a pivotol role in shaping cricket as religion in India. He was the first cricketer from this generation to be called synonymous with the sport itself in the country. 

The former India skipper achieved everything a cricketer would dare to dream at the start of his career. He holds the record for featuring in most Tests (200), most ODIs (463), most centuries (100), most runs (34,357), which is hard to scale one individual.

A person who has closely looked into Tendulkar's is former Indian team manager, Rajeev Shukla. While speaking high of him, he recalled how fans thronged to dressing room for the legend's autographs and how Tendulkar was always calm and stable despite all the stardom and craze for him

Also Read: BCCI’s ‘Naman’ Awards: How did BCCI’s ‘Naman’ Awards start?

“I have seen [the craze for him]. For Sachin, foreigners used to stand in queues to get his autograph. There used to be this huge line of fans outside the dressing room for his autograph. He is very popular. He is very chill, no arrogance, no high-headedness. [He is] very calm and [a] very stable person,” said Shukla on The Ranveer Show podcast.

Here's Rajeev talking about Sachin Tendulkar:

For the unversed, Shukla is also a former journalist and political commentator, who later entered the politics. He is also a Member of Parliament from Chattisgarh for Indian National Congress Party. He has previously served as the Chairman of Indian Premier League (IPL). Currently, he is the Vice President of the Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) after assuming office in December 2020. 

Also Read: Sachin Tendulkar conferred with Lifetime Achievement Award by BCCI 

His name popped in the cricketing circle to replace Jay Shah as the next BCCI Secretary, but his association with politics meant he could not take the role.

Speaking of Tendulkar, he was conferred with the prestigious Col. C.K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions at recently held BCCI 'Naman' annual award ceremony.