There is always something fascinating about Sachin Tendulkar. The Master Blaster has ways of staying connected with his fans, allowing his bat to do the talking during his playing days, and managing to speak about the same after that.

In a recent interview with The Times of India, we learned something new about the God of Cricket, his views on mental health, the anxiety he would have around a game, and more. Below is an excerpt from the interview.

What crosses your mind when the crowd chants, “Sachin Sachin”?

“It’s a blessing from up above. I thank people for all the love and affection and I hope it continues this way. No matter how much you get it, you always want more. It feels nice and I cannot thank the fans enough for their blessings.”

What has kept you going during the pandemic?

“We all face different challenges in life and this is something that no one had expected. We never thought that something like this could hit us. I have tried to keep myself engaged in all possible ways but when you see so many lives being lost, it hurts immensely. As individuals, we should step forward and help others in whatever capacity we can and people have been doing that. Every little step goes a long way. You look at yourself in the mirror and feel gratitude for being able to be of some assistance to those in desperate need.”

From Virat Kohli to Naomi Osaka, everyone is opening up about mental health. What is your take on it?

“Many athletes go through this. Some speak about it, while some choose to keep it to themselves. If you are unable to find a way, a solution can only be found if you are willing to share that information. So many people support us and wish us well, but these issues aren’t visible, and need to be addressed by mental health experts. As far as Naomi’s withdrawal from the French Open is concerned, no athlete would want to miss a tournament.”

“If a player of her calibre feels that way, there is a problem that needs to be addressed. If she is not in the right space, she needs to be given time. She felt it was the right thing to do at that moment and she did it. If you sprain an ankle, a physiotherapist looks into it. Likewise, only an expert can look into this. She will get back when she’s ready. It’s important for sportsmen to be in the right space physically and mentally.”

How do you battle anxiety before a game?

“For 10-12 years of my career, I couldn’t sleep on the eve of the match. I used to be wide awake tossing and turning in bed, constantly thinking about the match the next day. That anxiety and restlessness were palpable. After over a decade, I realised that this is perhaps how I prepare before a game and accepted that. I did not fight that feeling anymore. I would watch something on television, read or play a game. I did whatever I felt would help me play better the next day.”

“It was not just about physical, but mental preparation, too. I made sure that mentally I was at ease and not panicking about how I will play the next day if I have not slept the previous night. Over a period of time, I learnt more about myself. I learnt to deal with various issues and acceptability helped a great deal.”

Did fans’ expectations from you trigger your anxiety?

“One thing is to think about people’s expectations and the other is to live up to your own. I felt I should live up to my own expectations, because people didn’t know what went on in my head. The pressure was from within. I never spared myself. I pushed myself as hard as I could. You meet ten people, and they will tell you ten different things. Eventually, you have to go by what you think is the right thing to do for your team and country.”

“My priority was always that and when you deeply care about something, you want to put your best foot forward. If I was walking out to bat and people didn’t expect me to score runs, then I was probably at the wrong place, and should have done something else with my life. I took it positively when people expected me to score big. The feedback you give yourself is crucial. People are entitled to an opinion. How you absorb that information is important. If you take it negatively, you will get bogged down by the pressure, but if you take those expectations positively, it adds to your strength.”

Just like all the things the youngsters have picked up from Sachin when it comes to cricket, we also hope they understand the importance of mental health, especially in today’s day and age. At this time especially, it has become increasingly important to stay healthy, both physically and mentally.