Sachin Tendulkar - Playing it my way

Sachin Tendulkar, undoubtedly one of the greatest cricketer, finest human being, the game of cricket has ever witnessed pens down his life story as a cricketer in his book 'Sachin Tendulkar- Playing it my way'. His life clearly shows and sets an example to every sports person in the world, how a true sports person should be(in and out of the field).

Sachin narrates his story with humility and good sense of humour. Reading his story in his own words is an overwhelming experience. Greatest cricketer he is, and will remain so for ever, humbly describes incidents in his life giving due credit to everyone who had helped him to become what he is.

Early chapters of the book talks about Sachin’s childhood, what drew him to cricket and who are all the key people in encouraging him to become a cricketer. He mentions the major role played by his Brother Ajit and his coach Ramakant Achrekar.


His childhood is best example of how constant practice can work wonders, how dedication and hard work defines one’s life. This is also a best example for one of the aspect of most successful people:"doing the same things daily” as mentioned by Robin Sharma( leadership expert and author of the many inspirational books including ‘The monk who sold his Ferrari’) in his leadership workshop ‘Productivity Unleashed & Extreme Achievement Formula'.

Here is the related excerpt from the book.

In fact, in my first year at Shardashram I played fifty-five practice matches during the summer break of sixty days. My summer sessions used to start at 7.30 a.m. and I’d bat for two hours, split into five net sessions. All of these sessions were rigorous and required intense concentration. After the morning session, I would go straight into the practice match, which would end at 4.30 p.m., then my evening session would start at 5 p.m., after only a thirty-minute break. During the break Sir would often give me some money to go and have a vada pav (a popular Mumbai fast food) or a soft drink as a treat.
Between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. I’d have five more net sessions, before a final session of fifteen minutes”

Then he goes on to narrate about his stint with international cricket. The challenges he had faced from the time he has started his international career as a 16 years old boy against Pakistan in 1989, to the time he has played the last ball of his career in the year 2013. He mentions that He always cherishes the times when he got his first international hundred in the year 1992 in Australia at the SCG. He also proudly remarks that he was the first oversees player to get selected to play for Yorkshire county cricket club.

Sachin narrates the cricket matches he had played chronologically in each year, the records he had achieved and the friends he had made during the process. He also refers to the things which have not gone according to his wish, for example the selection of the team when he was captaining the Indian team. The unpleasant incident when Rahul Dravid decides to declare the test innings against the agreed game plan when Sachin was on 194 not out, depriving him of double century.

He gives so much credit to his event mangers, the doctors who has diagnosed him and always been there during the difficult times of his injuries. He modestly appreciates the support he got from his family, His father, mother, brother, wife and his children. He also mentions how he regretted not spending enough time with his wife(Anjali) and kids(Sara, Arjun) and missing the important events in their life. 

His farewell speech (given in appendix) at Wankhede stadium, Mumbai is one of the emotional and honest speeches I have ever heard. One should read it to understand how he remembers, never forgets to give credit to each and every person who has played a part in his life.

To know Many more interesting things like his achievements, what he wished to do after retirement etc. one should read this book. Overall 'Sachin Tendulkar- playing it my way' is one of the most inspiring autobiographies I have ever read and It’s a must read for every cricket lover.

How often do you sharpen your Axe

Recently i have read this book by name "You Can Win" by Shiv Khera. Even though its not usual type of books i read, i just took the book from my friend and started reading just for the heck of reading. As i started reading the book i must admit, i fell in love with the book.Its one of the excellent books i have read.

The book is driven by very well thoughts of the author and he has put them in a very simple manner. The book has many significant,powerful,simple analogies which will make you wear your thinking hat and make you realize your positives, negatives,dreams.It will help in focusing on your goals and makes you determinant in achieving them by devising a recipe for yourself.

This book has many useful and interesting stories, out of which i felt the below one is very apt for IT professionals.

John, a woodcutter, worked for a company for five years but never got any raise. the company hired Bill and within a year he got a raise.Then John resented Bill's getting a raise after only a year and went to his boss to talk about it. The boss said, "You are still cutting the same number of trees you were cutting five years ago. We are result oriented company and would be happy to give you a raise if your productivity goes up". John went back, started hitting harder and putting in longer hours but he still wasn't able to cut more trees. he went back to his boss and told him his dilemma. The boss told John to go talk to Bill. "May be there is something Bill knows that you and I don't". John asked Bill how he managed to cut more trees. Bill answered, "After every tree i cut, i take a break for two minutes and sharpen my axe. When was the last time you sharpened your axe?"

When was the last time you sharpened your axe? Past glory and education don't count for much. we have to continuously sharpen the axe.

As IT field is very vulnerable, one has to keep updating their skills regularly. Because the Technology of today May become Trash of tomorrow.So In this competitive world,to keep yourself in the race you have to keep updating the knowledge. You have to keep sharpening your axe regularly. Time and again you have to ask this question for yourself, and then take necessary steps.