A haircut at home. Or indulging in a favourite pastime. Life in lockdown has altered most people’s routines and lifestyles dramatically—be it a common man or a cricket legend. After living his life out of a suitcase during his long career, Sachin Tendulkar had not slowed down post retirement owing to his myriad charity commitments, commercial deals, mentorship of Mumbai Indians IPL team and his till recent association with Kerala Blasters football team. The nationwide lockdown, however, has seen Tendulkar at home with his family, though still busy with multiple engagements including working from home.
In an exclusive interaction with THE WEEK, the Master Blaster, who turned 47 on April 24, stresses that people must respect the lockdown guidelines, ensure physical and mental well-being, and respect medical and other frontline workers. Excerpts:
Q/ How is a day in your life during the lockdown?
A/ I wake up, train whatever I can. I conduct my meetings with my team members on the phone. Many meetings take place on video calls; it is a new age thing I am trying to get used to. My son and daughter train in the evenings and sometimes I join them. This break has given me a lot of time to spend with the kids. It is a forced break for everyone. Especially when the kids are past their teens it is difficult to get them to sit at home; they have their own friends circle. I am also spending time with my mother. All of us spend time together watching films and series, and playing board games. It is good quality time together combined with work.
Work includes organisations that I support, and work with, to help the disadvantaged. We plan and discuss things that we can do and add value to other peoples’ lives. We are discussing other business plans, too. The business partners also ask me to speak to their employees. Along with that, I have been able to work with the government on giving public messages on health and hygiene. I have had an opportunity to interact with medical fraternity via video conference, which was a new experience for me.
Q/ Some of your family members are in the medical profession. We have seen attacks on the frontline workers during the lockdown. What are your thoughts on it?
A/ It is important to respect the medical fraternity. Theirs is a selfless job. They are looking to do everything possible in their capabilities. People should realise that they are trying to safe lives; there is nothing bigger than that. Our medical workers, police and armed forces have one goal—save lives. Respect them. There have been some mishaps. This is unfortunate. Value what they are doing for us.
Q/ During this time of the year usually you would be busy with IPL and then Wimbledon.
A/ Having no sport is something I have never experienced in my life. I do not think any of my elder family members have experienced it, either. Yes, there have been calamities and natural disasters in certain areas, but here the whole world is challenged at the same time. There is no IPL, no Wimbledon or no Olympics because we have to save lives. It is important for people to stay physically and mentally fit; so we have to find ways to do that. It is important to look after our elderly at home. That is why I said as family we have to spend time together watching television or playing board games. It is not easy but it is for everyone, and we are doing it for each other.
Q/ Lack of sports has an impact on livelihoods. For instance, IPL generates many part-time jobs and income.
A/ It is not just IPL or sporting events. There are a number of people who are getting impacted outside sports. It’s not about people who follow sport alone. That is why I said we have to do this together and for each other.
Q/ How do you see the pandemic changing sports? People are talking about empty stadiums or bowlers no longer using saliva on the ball.
A/ I think players will be cautious of [using saliva and also group hugs and high fives]. Social distancing will continue at least for some time even if everything is safe and sound. I have always endorsed—as UNICEF ambassador—maintaining good hygiene and washing hands regularly. Because this will be behind us does not mean that we should be going back to old habits. We will need to make some changes to our lifestyle.
Q/ Cricket Australia is talking of holding an India series without spectators. How would that feel?
A/ It will be tough to go out and play without a packed stadium, because that is what gives you a lot of energy. The way a crowd responds to when you play a good shot or when a bowler is in the middle of a fiery spell,
beating the bat constantly, there is a lot of energy one gets. Cricket relies a lot on spectators—curiosity, anxiety, adrenaline levels. If you have done well, you celebrate. It will be hard to imagine cricket without spectators.
Q/ Do you think IPL in some form should happen even if foreign players are not able to come?
A/ If all foreign players are not able to come, I do not think IPL should happen. Because a lot of teams had picked and balanced their sides with foreign and domestic players’ combination. That combination will get completely disrupted. Each team relies on their strength; if you do not have foreign players that balance changes.