India’s cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar has inspired many young and aspiring cricketers to take up the sport and dream to play for the country. There are also several star players from both India and international
who see Sachin as their idol. One of those players is star wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson. The 30-year-old recently revealed how Sachin Tendulkar’ iconic knock against Australia in Sharjah inspired his dream of playing cricket.
Notably, in the year 1998, Sachin Tendulkar played one of the most memorable knocks of his career in a match against Australia in the UAE during the Coca-Cola Cup. Chasing a target of 276 runs as per the DLS method, Sachin scored 143 runs off 131 balls, hitting nine fours and five sixes. His knock is also referred as the ‘Desert Storm’ innings and is regarded as one of the most iconic knocks played in his career. However, his effort went in vain as India ended up losing the match by 26 runs.
Sanju, you can also do that: Star Indian wicket-keeper on Sachin Tendulkar’s ‘Desert Storm’ innings
Talking about Sachin Tendulkar’s famous UAE knock against Australia in 1998, Sanju Samson revealed how it inspired him to repeat the same kind of performance while playing for his country. In his conversation, Samson also took names of other legendary players like Shane Warne and Damien Fleming from Australia.
"I was watching a game sitting in Delhi police quarters or police colony room in a small TV. Sachin sir was batting in that game, the Sharjah storm innings, he was just smashing the bowlers. So, that moment it actually struck me that 'Sanju, you can also do that'. That actually inspired me the most," Samson said in his interview with Ravichandran Ashwin on YouTube.
