MUMBAI, Nov 14: Sachin Tendulkar faced a fair share of controversies during his long career. But none of them could bring his popularity down as his deeds on the field overshadowed everything.
2000: Fixing row
When the match-fixing controversy broke, everyone looked to Tendulkar to play elder statesman. But while the involvement of team-mates Azharuddin and Ajay Jadeja, among others, spiralled into Indian cricket’s darkest hour, he maintained a stoic silence. To make matters worse, Pakistan wicket-keeper Rashid Latif stated in July 2000: “Sachin should be questioned. He knows everything.” He would later say that he didn’t know anything about it so hadn’t opened his mouth.
2001: Ball tampering
Post the home series win against Australia early in the year, Indian cricket seemed to have restored its image. But during the tour to South Africa at the end of year, match referee Mike Denness found Tendulkar tampering with the ball during the second Test in Port Elizabeth and slapped a ban on him. However, the BCCI threatened to call off the tour if Deness stayed on for the third Test, resulting in the third Test losing its official status.
2003: Ferrari gift
Michael Schumacher presented Sachin a Ferrari-360 Modeno in August, on which the maestro sought an exemption on the stipulated 120 per cent import duty. The Rs1.13 crore was waived off but the Delhi court served notices on both Tendulkar and Union finance and sports ministries.
2004: Stranded
Sehwag’s Multan Test had many sweet memories for India but carried a bitter one for Tendulkar. He was robbed of a double hundred when stand-in skipper Rahul Dravid declared the innings with him batting on 194. Tendulkar did admit he was surprised and disappointed by Dravid’s call, reportedly leading to a dressing room showdown between the two.
2007: Greg Chappell saga
The controversial Greg Chappell’s stint as coach came to an end after Sachin Tendulkar expressed grief at his commitment being questioned by the Aussie batting great. Among other comments, Greg felt that the seniors in the Indian team were not showing the hunger for a fight. In an interview to the Times of India, shortly after the 2007 World Cup, Tendulkar said: “If the coach has questioned our attitude, it hurts us most. No coach had mentioned even in passing that my attitude was not correct.” This resulted in Chappell resigning the same day.
2008: Monkeygate
Speculation on Sachin’s role in the ‘Monkeygate’ saga refuses to die down. Both Gilchrist and Ponting claimed Sachin had changed his statement before the judge, claiming that Harbhajan hadn’t called Symonds a ‘monkey’. —Agencies
