Sachin Tendulkar: Inspired by Viv Richards
Before Sachin Tendulkar became the idol to a billion people, he was a young boy who looked up to the sheer dominance of West Indian legend Sir Vivian Richards. Tendulkar has often stated that Richards was his hero. It was Richards' aggressive style, his confidence,
and the way he could dismantle any bowling attack that captivated a young Sachin. While their batting styles were different, with Tendulkar being a master technician and Richards a force of nature, the inspiration was rooted in a shared mindset: to dominate the opposition. Richards' fearless approach to batting left a lasting impression on Tendulkar, who would go on to become one of the most complete batters in history, blending technical perfection with devastating aggression. Tendulkar even recalled a phone call from Richards in 2007 that persuaded him not to retire, a conversation that extended his career and led to a World Cup victory.
Virat Kohli: Worshipping the Master Blaster
The line of succession in Indian cricket is perhaps best exemplified by Virat Kohli's reverence for Sachin Tendulkar. For Kohli, Tendulkar wasn't just a great player; he was the reason many, including him, started taking cricket seriously. Kohli has spoken about growing up watching Tendulkar and how the Master Blaster revolutionized the sport in India. The famous image of a young Kohli carrying his idol on his shoulders after the 2011 World Cup victory, declaring, "He's carried the burden of the nation for 21 years, it's time we carried him on our shoulders," perfectly encapsulates this relationship. Beyond the sentiment, Kohli was inspired by Tendulkar’s consistency and ability to perform under immense pressure, qualities that would become hallmarks of his own record-breaking career. After Tendulkar's final match, Kohli gifted him a sacred thread his father had given him, a deeply personal gesture to show how much Tendulkar had inspired him.
Rohit Sharma: A Fan of Fearless Openers
While Rohit Sharma has named Sachin Tendulkar as his idol, admiring his fearless batting from a young age, his style also echoes the aggression of another Indian great: Virender Sehwag. There’s a famous anecdote of a teenage Rohit bunking class just to get an autograph from Sehwag, who was his hero. This admiration for Sehwag's approach—to attack from the very first ball and change the tempo of the game—is clearly visible in Rohit's own white-ball dominance. Like Sehwag, Rohit Sharma possesses the ability to dismantle bowling attacks with a mix of elegance and brute force. His three ODI double-hundreds are a testament to an attacking philosophy that was popularized by Sehwag. More recently, Shreyas Iyer has also named Rohit as one of his idols, showing how Rohit's own influence is now shaping the next generation.
Shubman Gill: The Prince Apprenticed to Two Kings
Shubman Gill, often called 'The Prince' of Indian cricket, stands as a bridge between two eras of inspiration. He has named both Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli as his two primary idols. Gill explained that he got into cricket because of Tendulkar, who was his father's favourite. As he started to understand the finer points of the game, his attention shifted to Virat Kohli. What truly inspired Gill about Kohli was his immense hunger and passion for the game, something he believes cannot be taught. This dual influence is visible in Gill’s batting—the classical elegance reminiscent of Tendulkar combined with the modern-day assertiveness and all-format ambition of Kohli. His journey shows how the torch of inspiration is passed down, with each generation building upon the last.
Jasprit Bumrah: Learning from the World's Best
A bowler with a truly unique action, Jasprit Bumrah didn't model himself on just one person. Instead, he learned by watching a variety of fast bowlers on television. He has mentioned looking up to Indian pacers like Mohammed Shami. His unorthodox style, which makes him so difficult to face, is a product of this self-taught approach. Interestingly, while he is now an idol to many young aspiring bowlers himself, Bumrah advises them against directly copying his action due to the potential risk of injury. This reflects a deep understanding of his own craft. His rise to becoming the world's top bowler across formats is a story of unique talent honed by observing the best, rather than simply imitating a single hero.
