Sachin Tendulkar came to MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai in 1987 aspiring to be a fast bowler but was told to focus on batting by pace guru Dennis Lillee. When the 42-year-old legendary Indian batsman visited the Pace Foundation Academy on Friday morning to give a pep talk to its elite trainees who are on the verge of playing for their state teams, Tendulkar recalled his initial days at the Pace Foundation 28 years ago.
"Dennis did not know that I had already been making my mark in schools cricket as a batsman," Tendulkar said to Glenn McGrath, the Australian fast bowling great who is now the director of coaching at the Pace Foundation, as the two joked about their earlier years.
The 25 Pace Foundation trainees and support staff were in rapt attention to every word that Tendulkar said when he shared his experiences with them on the penultimate day of the current two-week long camp.
"Bowl where you want to bowl, not where the batsman wants you to bowl," Tendulkar told them. "Discipline has to be there."
Giving an example from the 1999 Adelaide Test, Tendulkar told the youngsters: "McGrath bowled six consecutive maiden overs to me towards the end of the second day's play. I had nothing to lose. I continued leaving the ball outside the off-stump hoping that he would send one in for me to find runs on the on-side. But McGrath stuck to his plans and I stuck to mine. Cricket is all about out-thinking the opposition."
Tendulkar also stressed on the need to "figure out where the line meets the length," indicating to them an imaginary cross that he said he used to draw while he was batting. "You have to realise what length to bowl at what time of the day (depending on the conditions of the pitch including the bounce)."
With injuries to fast bowlers inevitable, the owner of batting records said it was important to take care of one's body.
"The body is taking the load. T20 has changed the dynamics of the game. All these years, you could focus on batting and fielding or bowling and fielding. Now-a-days, all the three departments are important.
"It is important to take care of your body. It is like servicing a car and refuelling the tank. Likewise, you should respect your body."
Tendulkar also advised the young pacers on the need to do what suited them and to also embrace failures. "You must approach every game with a positive frame of mind. You may go to every match thinking of taking five wickets. That won't happen every time. You should also entertain those conversations (with friends and families) that will help you to play better. Keep aside the negative thoughts and conversations," he told them.
Speaking from his own experiences, Tendulkar told the audience the utility of being satisfied with one's preparation. "I used to be upset if I did not have a good net session. I then learnt to separate my nets form and match form. I used to struggle to sleep before match. I used to be awake till 1am before a match. But I made sure I was in the best frame of mind and did everything that helped me perform the next day."
With McGrath standing to Tendulkar's left, the Australian nodded in approval to everything that the Little Master said. McGrath, the fourth highest wicket-taker in Tests with 563 scalps in 124 games and also the highest among fast bowlers, said to the trainees that "it was hard to get to the top but once you get there, it is even harder to stay there."
McGrath, who has completed three years as director of the MRF Pace Foundation Academy told his wards to have "self-belief". "If you have a bad day, you analyse your performance. I learnt most from the days I played badly."
Tendulkar was quick to add: "At the same time, don't over-analyse your performance."
The fast bowlers of tomorrow will certainly cherish the words of wisdom from the two champion cricketers who have relished their rivalry on the field and camaraderie off it.
