Dial S for Solutions: How Sachin Tendulkar Operates as Indian Cricket’s Master Mentor

Sanju Samson recently cemented his place in India’s limited-overs setup with a string of commanding centuries, completely transforming his career trajectory. But behind his resurgence lies an off-field intervention from India’s most prolific run-scorer. During a period of extended bench time, an emotionally exhausted Samson turned to Sachin Tendulkar for guidance. Samson joins a long, elite list of Indian batters who have utilized Tendulkar as an unofficial batting consultant to salvage or elevate their careers.

According to Samson, the conversations with the former Indian captain focused heavily on mindset and tactical preparation. “I reached out to him and had long conversations,” Samson stated. “He gave me clarity, game preparation, awareness, and game sense.” Tendulkar even called Samson the night before major matches to check on his mental state, highlighting a hands-on approach that operates entirely behind the scenes.

Rescuing Virat Kohli After the 2014 England Tour

Perhaps the most documented instance of Tendulkar’s mentorship occurred in 2014. Virat Kohli returned from his maiden Test tour of England having scored just 134 runs across 10 innings, repeatedly dismissed outside the off-stump by James Anderson. Facing a severe crisis of confidence, Kohli contacted Tendulkar for technical and mental recalibration.

The two spent several days working at the indoor nets at the Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai. Kohli later revealed that the advice was more psychological than technical. Tendulkar advised him to do what worked for him individually, rather than following rigid team net session routines. Following this intervention, Kohli dominated the 2014-2015 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, scoring four centuries and amassing 692 runs.

Architect behind Rohit Sharma’s IPL Dynasty

Tendulkar’s influence extends beyond international technique into franchise management and career mapping. According to Atul Ranade, Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy fielding coach and Tendulkar’s long-time associate, the “Master Blaster” orchestrated Rohit Sharma’s transfer from the Deccan Chargers to the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Mumbai Indians in 2011.

“It was Tendulkar who decided to get Rohit to the Mumbai Indians, a team he was captaining at that point,” Ranade explained. This transaction proved historic. Sharma eventually took over the captaincy and led the Mumbai Indians to five IPL championships, tying the record for the most titles by a captain in the league’s history.

Mentorship Impact on Indian Batters

Guiding the Next Generation

Even a decade after his retirement from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) national setup, Tendulkar actively analyzes games and offers precise, actionable feedback when approached. His mentorship spans across different generations of players:

• Shubman Gill: Sought Tendulkar’s advice on adjusting his technique for English conditions, specifically focusing on defending straight and scoring square to counter swinging deliveries.
• Yuvraj Singh: Battled form and fitness issues ahead of the 2011 World Cup. Tendulkar’s reassurance kept him focused, culminating in a historic Player of the Tournament performance.
• Prithvi Shaw: After scoring a Test century on debut against the West Indies in October 2018, Shaw received both technical tips and blunt personal advice from Tendulkar to get back on track during a turbulent phase in his career.

Former South African opener and India head coach Gary Kirsten, along with Sunil Gavaskar, have accurately described Tendulkar as a “university of batting.” By providing honest, simplified, and condition-specific advice away from the media spotlight, Tendulkar continues to shape the future of Indian cricket long after his final match.