Sachin Tendulkar reveals in his autobiography that he urged his teammates to be three kilos lighter before the start of the 2011 World Cup and the eventual champions did!
The victorious Indian team after winning the 2011 World Cup final, beating Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium on April 2
It is no secret that the 2011 World Cup was Sachin Tendulkar's most eagerly awaited competition of his illustrious career. For, in all probability, it would be his last shot to claim the biggest glory.
The victorious Indian team after winning the 2011 World Cup final, beating Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium on April 2. Pic/Getty Images
On the field Tendulkar did everything he could, scoring 482 runs in nine matches to contribute in the 2011 World Cup victory that came at his home ground — the Wankhede Stadium on April 2.
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But the batting legend had to do something special off the field as well. In his much-awaited autobiography 'Playing It My Way' which was released yesterday, Tendulkar reveals how he prepared for the mega event.
"The Test series (against South Africa) was followed by a one-day series, which in fact would start our preparations for the 2011 World Cup. Annoyingly, I injured my hamstring right at the start of the series and was forced to return to India. Before leaving, I asked every member of the squad to make a pledge.
Sacrifice
"I told my team-mates that with the World Cup in the subcontinent approaching, which was one of the most significant competitions of our lives, it was important for everybody to sacrifice something ahead of the tournament. My suggestion was to lose three kilos each and become a fitter side in the process," Tendulkar writes.
"I kept my promise and in fact lost 3.8 kilos. Some of my team-mates did so as well. To do this I had to watch my diet and was on salads after returning to Mumbai. I underwent a rigorous rehabilitation programme on my hamstring under the watchful eyes of Patrick Farhad, physio of the Mumbai Indians, and also hit the gym regularly to strengthen my upper body.
"The World Cup was promising to be the biggest tournament of my life. It was the one title that had eluded me and there was a good chance it would be my last crack at becoming a world champion — and on home soil too," he concluded.
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