Old Foes Sachin Tendulkar and Vinod Kambli are Friends, Again!
Oct 24, 2017 at 5:34 PM
After being the part of the Indian team in the 1996 World Cup, Sachin Tendulkar and Vinod Kambli now seemed to have sorted out their differences, as the former left-handed batter revealed in the 2009 television show that legendary batsman could have had helped him out during his downfall.
“We are very close… we were very close. He could have done a little more, but he didn’t,” Kambli revealed on his friendship with Tendulkar back in 2009 and was quoted by TOI.
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Pertinently, after eight-odd years both cricketers appeared to be back with bang – to share the cordial relationship when they made their appearance at the book launch of veteran journalist Rajdeep Sardesai in Mumbai, as Kambli summed up his friend on social media account by ‘I Love You’ Comment.
Dear Atul it was great meeting you,shishir and @sardesairajdeep too.@sachin_rt .Master Blaster I love You👬 https://t.co/c1eDC3Sq55
— Vinod Kambli (@vinodkambli349) October 23, 2017
After burying the hatchet, the 45-year-old Kambli revealed he is happy to see his old friend and former schoolmate back in his life while adding things have been further sorted out by mutual understanding.
“Yes, everything is fine between us and I’m happy with it. We hugged each other. We want to tell people that we’re back,” Kambli maintained during the book launch.
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However, in 2013 before Tendulkar announced his retirement from international cricket following his illustrious show with the bat did not address the Test specialist and long-time friend Kambli during his inspiring farewell speech.
The reports further suggested Tendulkar refrained from inviting Kambli at the Wankhede Stadium some four years back owing to the 200th Test farewell when he faced Windies in November 2013.
The 44-year-old Tendulkar’s sentiments were reportedly hurt by Kambli when he revealed in public his ‘best friend’ could have played a vital role – to save his cricketing career after a rollicking start somehow while donning the white jersey for India.
Kambli, who struggled to balance on-field and off-field life, missed out on golden opportunity to deliver big for India in the longer-run.
However, Tendulkar who made his international debut in 1989 saw his best buddy Kambli forcing the selectors to induct latter in the first-class competition which saw him making into the national fold in 1991 to leave a significant impact owing to his willow show.
However, Kambli stated he is looking forward make most of the bound, as the book “Democracy’s XI: The Great Indian Cricket Story” brought two cricket players together — to start new innings as friends after misunderstandings kept both on edge.
Dear Atul it was great meeting you,shishir and @sardesairajdeep too.@sachin_rt .Master Blaster I love You👬 https://t.co/c1eDC3Sq55
— Vinod Kambli (@vinodkambli349) October 23, 2017
“It was mutual, and I’m very glad about it,” Kambli asserted.
Following the reconciliation, Tendulkar, and Kambli also posed for the group selfie alongside Sardesai to make the meet more memorable after several years of bitterness.
Backstage at the launch of @sardesairajdeep book wt the author, the master @sachin_rt @vinodkambli349 n @shishhattangadi
💥🌟🎉😳😊 pic.twitter.com/u5wFoC6hbJ— atul kasbekar (@atulkasbekar) October 23, 2017
Concluding, Tendulkar and Kambli also shared a staggering 664-run partnership when they featured for their school Shardashram Vidyamandir, in the Harris Shield Trophy, back in the days of yore.
In 17 Tests, Kambli amassed 1,084 runs at an average of 54.20 in which he collected four-hundred and three fifties. Moreover, in 104 ODIs, Kambli scored 2,477 runs at an average of 32.59.