DRIVE: FALL 2015

PROGRAM:BA-ENGLISH
SEME:VI, SUBJECT CODE:603
ROLL NUMBER:1208030253

1.Provide an introduction to the author Vaibhav Purandare.

ANS: The book begins with an introduction of the author, Vaibhav Purandare,
born in 1976. Vaibhav Purandare, a college student in Mumbai, was taught by
Prof. Ramesh Tendulkar, Sachin Tendulkars father. He also played cricket with
and against Sachins team during the formative years of Sachins career. The
significance of this information lies in establishing a special proximity between him
and Sachin. Not only did Purandare and Sachin go to similar schools and colleges,
it is suggested that they had other similar formative influences like Prof. Tendulkar
and Sachins coach, Ramakant Achrekar. Broadly speaking, both Sachin and
Vaibhav have emerged from the same network of cultural, sporting and
educational influences. Purandare began his career as a journalist in 1993 with the
political news magazine Blitz. As the name of the publication suggests, he reported
and wrote on political issues relevant to contemporary India, which had a definite
degree of sensational appeal. This was probably where Vaibhav first received
training in writing on issues that appealed to the educated and intellectual masses.
The issues that were highlighted in the parent magazine were definitely those that
had a public appeal, just like Vaibhavs analytical books. The choice of subjects,
Shiv Sena and Sachin Tendulkar, for the two book length studies published by him
not only demand the same degree of involvement and in-depth analyses as the
features and reviews of Blitz, but also carry the same level of sensational appeal. It
is noteworthy that both these phenomena of modern India demand a detailed
involvement and in-depth analysis even though they are subjects of constant
speculation and public admiration. After Blitz, Vaibhav worked for a number of
national dailies like the Indian Express, the Asian Age, Mid Day, Mumbai Mirror
and DNA. However, it is interesting to note that he was not an exclusive sports
journalist in any newspaper, including the Hindustan Times, where he is presently a
Senior Associate Editor in Mumbai. It is with these dailies that he probably got
used to tracking the daily mundane and recurring events of life in and around
Mumbai, even as he studied and wrote on national politics in detail. His ability to
analyse the specific in relation to the general must have come in handy when
authoring both the books. While the Sena Story tries to situate a local Mumbai
phenomenon in the context of national history and policies, the present book,
Sachin Tendulkar - A Definitive Biography tries to link the various events around
Sachin in Mumbai to his outstanding political career. These dailies probably
brought the style of thorough reportage into Vaibhavs writings. Trained on the
news desk of these national dailies, Vaibhav underwent the training and discipline
of a micro level analysis presented with a lucidity and flow in the writing style that
affects the mind and heart of a common man. Sachins biography derives part of its
appeal from this training and discipline. Displayed in this book is a record of small
but significant details, presented as important events in a language and style that
makes it completely accessible to Sachins fans. A third aspect of the journalistic
eye reflects in the chronicling of details. This book is primarily a collection of facts
related to the early as well as later cricketing career of Sachin, interspersed

liberally with comments, observations and analyses. This information is collected

as well as classified tediously and systematically as numerous facts that can be
stringed into a chronicle. This ability gives a peculiar referential power to the book.
If readers have to find facts relating to a particular match or a series, they could
use the index to locate the event and then read about it in the book. The search is
likely to roughly yield the same result as diving into the archives of a national daily
to locate a report about an event published the following day. If you carefully
analyse the nature of the publications, Vaibhav has worked with an interesting
combination of newspapers. The Indian Express is famous for its right-wing
activism, while the Hindustan Times is known for its commercial or market focus.
The Asian Age is famous for its features and articles that are of an analytical
nature. The Mumbai Mirror and Mid Day focus on popular sensational writing,
favouring the need of the common man to read something on the go rather than the
staid and in-depth approach of the weeklies and the dailies. From this perspective,
Vaibhavs book on Sachin combines all these elements. With a keen eye on the
market, he has chosen to write on a topic that has a significant market potential.
The writing itself builds a sensational appeal with its focus on detail as well as a
particular kind of interpretation and analysis.
2. Why Mumbai has been otherwise called the city of cricket? Justify with
critical analysis.
ANS: The many maidans or fields of Bombay that were used for congregational purposes were also
the centres of hectic cricketing activity. The book, however, focusses on one specific field and its
contribution to the cricketing worldShivaji Park. The author asserts that it was this field that
exerted the most powerful influence on the emergence of quality cricket in Mumbai. With its
critical location at the centre of the link between South and North Mumbai, this park has been a
crucible of politics, cricket and culture. From nationalism to communism, trade unionism, and
finally Marathi nationalism, different leaders used this park to further their political vision and
goals. The area around the park was dominated by Marathi middle and lower classes which carried
a sense of injustice. The community felt that the rights and privileges offered by the metropolitan
city had been unrightfully taken by the non-native settlers and the indigenous Marathi people had
been left out. This became a platform for the desire to succeed as well as gain a social standing,
economic independence and political presence through cricket for this indigenous
population base. This was precisely the feeling that Shiv Sena was hoping for
and taking advantage of as well. As the youth turned aggressively towards sports and politics in
order to assert themselves, a fertile cricketing culture and a charged political atmosphere remitted
both fired by the aspirations of an assertive youth population. From the band of enthusiastic and
committed cricketers emerged two coaches who gradually gained a reputation for identifying,
nurturing and promoting young talent. Ankush Anna Vaidya, the coach for Balmohan Vidya
Mandir, and Ramakant Achrekar, coach for Shadashram High School, conducted their coaching in
Shivaji Park not only because the two schools were in the same vicinity, but also because they lived
barely one to three kilometers away. Together, they are responsible for bringing up a whole
generation of dedicated and diligent professional cricketers. Although both these coaches were
successful in their own ways, by the early eighties, Achrekar had emerged as the number one coach
and was undoubtedly destined to train cricketing superstars. The perception across Mumbai was
that most of his trained cricketers went on to play at the state or national level, and even those who
did not reach that level at least played well enough to get employed in good organizations. Even as
we refer to the fields and the coaches, we must not forget the numerous gullies of Mumbai where
flourished a culture of enjoying cricket. Cricket was not only the favourite leisure sport for
children in those streets, but was also a game to which they could dedicate their body and soul,
hoping that it would provide them with emotional, physical, mental and financial support. Closely
following this street culture were the numerous schools in Mumbai that built their identity and

prestige by hosting champion cricket teams. Cricket was not a co-curricular activity in these
schoolsin some respects it was the main curriculum. Shardashram School, the school that Sachin
went to in the later stages of his education, was known not only for the support and patronage that
it offered to budding sportspersons but also for its champion cricket teams. Budding cricket stars
like Sachin and Kumble transferred to this school so that they could underplay their academic
pursuits and focus more on cricket.
The next level of cricketing infrastructure comprises the local cricketing clubs of Mumbai that took
in talents from the streets, coaching centres, schools and colleges and trained them to be state,
regional and national level players. The MCC and ICC referred to in this book are examples of
such institutions. In fact, the popularity of Sachin in Mumbais cricketing circles is something that
was picked up from the school and club matches. As people realized that he was exceptionally
talented as a batsman, they thronged the stadiums to enjoy his superior sporting skills.
3. How Satellite TV changed the face of the country and its cricket drastically?
ANS: Satellite television came to Indian homes in January 1991, with CNN
broadcasting the build-up to the Gulf war. This was a phenomenon that changed the
face of the country and its cricket drastically. The author considers it to be a major
economic, technological and societal development that not only changed the face of
urban middle-class India, but also changed Tendulkars life, which would otherwise
not have been possible. Let us examine some of the significant effects it had on
Sachins life and career. Let us first discuss the changes in him as a person. Being the
potent symbol of a buying-power-down middle-class Indian that no longer took shelter
under the umbrella of Socialism, Sachin bought a Maruti 800 in 1990. An earlier
generation would have been uncomfortable with the idea of buying and driving
around in a car at the age of 18. This context was different and Sachin was its
standing example. He believed that if a person has money, he should spend it
however he wants. Sachins behavior, feelings and actions were now adapting
to his new role as a celebrity. While he did not know how to assess his marketability,
he was definitely conscious of his celebrity status and wanted to live up to that image.
The way he managed the media was quite remarkable. The second interview and
photo session that he had with Savita Kirloskar in 1990 was different from the first
one barely six months ago: Tendulkar had changed. He was more at ease with himself,
like the confident emerging middle-class. All the discomfort he displayed was in . . .
the sense of being a camera-stalked celebrity. He came in twenty minutes late . . . he
was eager to finish the whole thing as soon as possible. He was not uncooperative, but
the invisible bond that existed between the photographer and her subject [that was
evident just six months ago] no longer existed. Another event that the text recalls
about Sachins car being accommodated in a special corner near the Gateway of India
indicates not only Sachins acknowledgement of his special status but also the people
and administration acknowledging him as someone special. It is precisely this special
characteristic that did not exist a few months ago. Satellite TV had elevated Sachin
from a skilled cricketer to a cultural icon. The process of this transformation had
involved looking upon this star cricketer as harbouring immense commercial potential
through his ability to influence middle-class urban behaviour. This influence existed
because Sachin had achieved a professional status that every middleclass Indian
aspires to attain. Identifying with Sachin was like a vicarious wish fulfillment exercise
for them.
4. Attempt a comparative analysis of Sachin and Gavaskar.
ANS: If there is one person to whom the batting excellence of
Sachin can be compared in India, it is Sunil Gavaskar. When an

individual stands out amongst others in the team and plays in a

way that marks something new for the game in general, they are
designated as cricketing pioneers. Gavaskar infused self-belief into
Indian batting and pulled it out of the colonial clout. With
Gavaskar at the helm, the Indian team asserted their genius and
ability to compete with and outperform their erstwhile colonial
masters. The myth of the white mans superiority could thus be
laid to rest and cricket could be reinvented on a neutral ground
where people of different races could interact as equals and
individual merit could be rewarded and acknowledged. Sachin
pulled the Indian team out of their slumber. A vacuum existed in
the post-Gavaskar era. While other cricketers had replaced the
sporadic excellence of the previous batsmen, no one had really
measured up to the calm, controlled but powerfully skillful and
energetic talent of Gavaskar. India did not have a name which
could truly stand out on the global cricketing horizon for its
dependability and consistent performance. It is this vacuum that
Sachin went on to fill. Gavaskar as a batsman was a classicist.
While adhering to all the rules of copy-book cricket, Gavaskars
batting carried a uniquely Indian signature. He would not lose his
confidence and cool under pressure or provocation, playing
every ball with a patient execution even while exhibiting brute
force of the bat when the ball deserved it. Tendulkar learnt all this
from the little master but took the lessons further in his own
unique direction. Occasionally, his batting would conform to the
best copy-book standards that Achrekar had infused in him.
However, Sachin displayed more skills than what the rule books
had taught him. While playing straight like Gavaskar, Sachin
would occasionally throw the rules to the wind like Vivia Richards.
Like a traditional Indian swordsman, he would be out to slice the
ball and kill the bowlers confidence. The violence and aggression
latent in Sachins cricket was missing in Gavaskar and poses
something of an enigma to all who observed him closely. It is clear
that at certain challenging moments, Sachin looked at cricket as
war and himself as a soldier. The aggression, though controlled,
was clearly aimed at decimating the opposition, and like all forms
of aggression, could be self-destructive. Whenever he lost control
on his aggressive instinct, he either gave up his wicket early or
missed his century. What Sachins occasional aggression
highlighted was the fundamentally violent nature of cricket. Is
there a way to excel in batting without decimating the bowler? Is
there a way of winning the game without vanquishing the
opponent? Is there a way to exercise ones batting skills without
taking the bowler to task? Sachins batting grudgingly
acknowledged these necessities when his reputation as a cricketer
was at stake. It is perhaps this iron fist in silken glove character
of Sachins cricket which the Indian and global audience enjoyed
and admired. They expected the suave and sophisticated batting
style of Gavaskar as well as the violent performance of Richards
from him. Not only was the Indian audience there to witness a
good batting stint, it was there to see the team win. Victory was
definitely a better deal than skillful performance. This created
undue pressure on Sachins performance. He could often manage it
with a controlled dose of aggression, but occasionally succumbed to
it. Sachin brought into Indian cricket a lethal combination of

physical and psychological warfare. He took the game to the

psychological level. For Gavaskar, batting was more about
portraying his own skills rather than killing the confidence
and morale of the opposing team. For Sachin, it was both. That is
why the author compares Gavaskar to Nehru but Sachin to
Subhash Chandra Bose someone who would not bother about
niceties and turn to violence when the situation demanded. It was
one such performance against Australia that had Sir Donald
Bradman glued to the television set. He said to his wifeHe bats
just the way I did. Bradman chose his words carefully. He was
evidently pleased to see Sachin mirror his skills, and so intense was
the pleasure that Bradman sought every opportunity to watch him
bat. This particular match at Wankhede Stadium was an example
of both controlled aggression as well as aggression going out of
control. Facing the fast bowler Shane Lee and in partnership with
Sanjay Manjrekar, Sachin blazed his way to a 50 in just 41 balls;
most of the runs came from boundaries. At 90, the crowd held its
breath in collective anticipation of a century. However, Sachin
slipped and uncontrolled aggression made him step out to hit Mark
Waugh. Waugh saw this initial lack of control and sent the ball off
the leg side. Sachin was caught behind by wicket-keeper Ian Healy.
5.Write a note on Sachin and the Match Fixing Scandal.
ANS: Sachins vacillations over captaincy spawned many theories
about why he was not ready to take on the post. One of the
theories doing the rounds was that the personal equation between
Sachin and Azhar had been thoroughly spoilt and he was not
ready to play on the same side with Azhar. Sachin never voiced
such extreme dislike. In fact one of the outstanding characteristics
that gave Sachin his distinguished position in global cricket was
his silence or measured speech on key issues that affected him or
cricket. Whether it was biased umpiring, players misbehavior,
ball manipulations or match fixing, Sachins silence or speech
were always measured. Sachins problems with Azhar primarily
related to Azhar not putting his
hundred percent into the game. ..In an interview to television
commentator Harsha Bhogle twenty days after this press meet, he
continually emphasized that he expected 100
per cent effort from the players. There were repeated lines like
Whats the point in playing if you cant put in 100 per cent
effort? When you play for India you have to be committed.
There are times when lethargy sets in, and that is the time to pull
up your socks, and there are ups and downs, sometimes you may
perform well, sometimes not, but putting the effort into it all the
time, that is very important. That is what Im
looking for. These lines at that time may have read more like
exhortations to the players than anything else. In retrospect, they
seem suggestive, for Tendulkar in year 2000 told Indias Central
Bureau of Investigation or CBI looking into the match-fixing
scandal that he felt Azhar was not putting in 100 per cent effort.
Sachin was clearly aware of the shadow of match-fixing all
around him and his point was that match fixing prevented players
from giving their 100 per cent. However, he did not remain

untouched of such charges, specially the match against New

Zealand. After declaring at 583 for seven, India dismissed the
Kiwis for 308. A large part of the fourth day remained when the
New Zealand innings folded, so India was expected to ask New
Zealand to follow on. Surprisingly, the Indians batted again and
declared only after they were 148 for five. New Zealand then
batted ninety-five over, lost merely two wickets and forced a
draw. When the match fixing scandal hit the cricket world in
2000, it was inevitable that this refusal to enforce a follow on
should come under the scanner of the
authorities. Sachin defended his decision by saying that his four
specialist bowlers had been utterly exhausted by bowling a full
ten hours, over 140 overs in the simmering 40C heat and had
asked for some rest. To ask them to bowl another 160 overs was to
run the risk of some of them collapsing. Along with Sachin, Kapil
Dev had also been accused of match-fixing and
the CBI questioned both of them; Kapil at the CBI headquarters
and Sachin at his home. The CBI questioned Sachin at his home
was because of the media presence at the CBI HQ and if Sachin
had come, the situation may have become
impossible. The results of this investigation were unpredictable:
.The CBI cleared both Kapil and Tendulkar of any wrongdoing.
So did the then CBI joint director K. Madhavan, who was after
CBIs submission of its own report appointed by the Indian
cricket Board to investigate
matters on its behalf. Madhavan questioned Tendulkar in Tune
2001 but clarified that he had been examined as a witness only.
The captains, coachs, managers vice-captains and the senior
players statements on the follow on had two things in common.
The first was that the end of the second day, enforcing a follow on
was everyones foregone concussions. But when the innings spilled
beyond the afternoon and the scintillating heat hit the bowlers,
the strategy needed revision. It was decided to
score some quick runs while the bowlers rested and then ask the
Kiwis to bat. Two questions however remained. How did the
bookies in Delhi know a day before that a follow on would not be
enforced if it was a considered decision taken on the third day?
No one seemed to have a real answer. To the pointed
questions of whether anybody could have influenced this decision,
both Sachin and Kapil Dev conceded that it was possible. The
CBI cleared both Tendulkar and Kapil Dev of any wrong doing. A
double clearance was achieved by both when the then CBI Joint
Director K. Madhavan investigated them in 2001 as the chief
investigator appointed by the cricket board to investigate matters
on its behalf. Madhavan questioned Tendulkar in 2001 but
clarified that he had been examined as a witness only. That was
not the end of the match-fixing controversy for Sachin. The
conviction that the bookies had affected Azharuddins game was
so deep in Sachins mind that he actively blocked Azhars
inclusion in the team chosen to visit Australia under his captaincy.
Along with Azhar, Sachin also blocked the inclusion of Nayan
Mongia.
6.Analyse the personal aspects of Sachins life through his

farewell speech
ANS: Sachins farewell speech is quoted in detail here because it
so aptly summarizes what we have been reading in the book about
the personal aspect of Sachins life. It would be fitting to end the
text by letting Sachin summarize his life and career himself:
All my friends. Settle down let me talk, I will get more and more
emotional (crowd gets louder as he composes himself). My life,
between 22 yards for 24 years, it is hard to believe that that
wonderful journey has come to an end, but I would like to take
this opportunity to thank people who have played an important
role in my life. Also, for the first time in my life I am carrying this
list, to remember all the names in case I forget someone. I hope
you understand. It's getting a little bit difficult to talk but
I will manage. The most important person in my life, and I have
missed him a lot since 1999 when he passed away, my father.
Without his guidance, I don't think I would have been standing
here in front of you. He gave me freedom at the age of 11, and told
me that [I should] chase my dreams, but make sure you do not
find shortcuts. The path might be difficult but don't give up, and I
have simply followed his instructions. Above all, he told me to be a
nice human being, which I will continue to do and try my best.
Every time I have done something special [and] showed my bat, it
was [for] my father. My mother, I don't know how she dealt with
such a naughty child like me. I was not easy to manage. She must
be extremely patient. For a mother, the most important thing is
that her child remains safe and healthy and fit. That was what she
was most bothered and worried about. She took care of me for the
last 24 years that I have played for India, but even before that she
started praying for me the day I started playing cricket. She just
prayed and prayed and I think her prayers and blessings have
given me the strength to go out and perform, so a big thank you to
my mother for all the sacrifices. In my school days, for four years,
I stayed with my uncle and aunt because my school was quite far
from my home, and they treated me like their son. My aunt, after
having had a hard day's play, I would be half asleep and she
would be feeding me food so I could go again and play tomorrow.
I can't forget these moments. I am like their son and I am glad it
has continued to be the same way. My eldest brother, Nitin, and
his family, have always encouraged me. My eldest brother doesn't
like to talk much, but the one thing he always told me is that
whatever you do, I know you will always give it 100%,
and that I have full faith and confidence in you. His
encouragement meant a lot to me. My sister, Savita, and her
family, was no different. The first cricket bat of my life was
presented to me by my sister. It was a Kashmir willow bat. But
that is where the journey began. She is one of those many who still
continue to fast when I bat, so thank you very much. Ajit, my
brother, now what do I talk about him? I don't know. We have
lived this dream together. He was the one who sacrificed his career
for my cricket. He spotted the spark in me. And it all started from
the age of 11 when he took me to Achrekar sir, my coach, and
from there on my life changed. You will find this hard to believe
but even last night he called to discuss my dismissal, knowing that
there was a remote chance of batting again, but just the habit we

have developed, the rapport we have developed, since my birth,

has continued and it will continue. Maybe when I'm not playing
cricket we will still be discussing technique. Various things we
agreed upon, my technique, and so many technical things which I
didn't agree with him, we have had arguments and
disagreements, but when I look back at all these things in my life,
I would have been a lesser cricketer. The most beautiful thing
happened to me in 1990 when I met my wife, Anjali. Those were
special years and it has continued and will always continue that
way. I know Anjali, being a doctor; there was a wonderful career
in front of her. When we decided to have a family, Anjali took the
initiative to step back and say that 'you continue with your cricket
and I will take the responsibility of the family'.