100 Test matches, 19,856 runs, the badshah of international cricket, one wife, two kids and a nation that follows his every move. Femina staffers poll reasons why Sachin Tendulkar is worth a hug... even two!
Sachin’s immensely lovable because he’s the little man who’s big on attitude. Because he plays his best for himself first — that’s the kind of commitment that never fades. Because he so obviously enjoys the game, which adds that panache to his drive and that zest for the sixer. Because he keeps his personal life just that — personal.
Because the match fixing grime never spotted his white pullover. Because he’s that rare species of man who hasn’t let his starpower go to his head. And finally because he makes me believe that there’s an idol left in this world to emulate.
I admire a man who can find so many different ways to wear a beard, and not to forget that he’s one of the best players that happened to the Indian cricket team!
Sachin is worth a hug because: He loves what he does and shows it. He smiles more often than he plays the brat. Even if his success and reputation have gone to his head, it does not show on the field or even off it.
He remains a backstreet boy at heart. He has strong family values.
He proves that great things come in small packages!!
I like Sachin Tendulkar for his modesty, and commitment to the game. Not to mention the fact that he’s also a genius. Gully-cricket became a mega-phenomenon ever since he grew up playing the game in Mumbai’s bylanes, and more frequently in Shivaji Park.
I agree with Hemant Kinkre, a cricket enthusiast who said, “If apliya Tendliya is playing, it’s like watching a hurricane silently unfolding, he gets better and sharper with every stroke.”
More power to his bat!
Batting assumes new dimensions with Sachin — fluent and effortless. And irrespective of whether he is batting, fielding, bowling and counselling (who can forget Sachin taking young Parthiv Patel aside and advising him in the third Test match against England?) — he has the mark of a MAN!
I admire Sachin for his integrity during the sleazy days of the cricketing scandals where he stood uncorrupted, and for his humility in public during his many victories, awards and achievements. He is a champion worthy of emulation, because he has not consciously allowed his ego and genius on the field, to be bigger than the game, his team and his country.
Absolutely lurve Sachin Tendulkar ’coz he has the confidence to do commercial after commercial with that thin std VIII voice. Remember ‘Boost is the secret of my energy’ line?
He’s the little phataka from Bandra East who has rocketed to fame with his fantastic batting skill. And who can forget the power of his voice? Go for it!
Besides the fact that he looks like a baby (though he has two of his own) — all innocence and earnestness — Sachin’s a really nice guy, humble and down-to-earth. Above all, he’s a real team player.

It was his first test match against the mighty Pakistan; he was barely 16 or 17. A deadly bouncer of a ball resulted in a broken nose; but he stood there defiantly — bleeding, bandaged nose et al . So much courage in the face of such open hostility!
According to Vinod Kambli, Sachin’s height of celebratory gastronomic delight is a 100 vada pavs . Makes one wonder what exactly will be served at the Tendulkar’s range of fine dining restaurant, and eaten no doubt with the two-toned forks that Sachin liked so well at some restaurant abroad? Still enough reason to love the perfectionist, ain’t it?
Sachin’s not only a fab cricketer but also a damn good actor — going by the number of brands he has endorsed. By the way, he also gets on famously with captain Sourav Ganguly despite losing his captaincy to him. And his oh-so-sexy voice, where the boy remains and the man has yet to step in...
Got comments or questions? e-mail us at femina@timesgroup.com with ‘men we love—TENDULKAR’ in the subject line