On 24 April 2011, Sachin Tendulkar will turn 38. In a series of special features celebrating the Little Masters birthday, MSN India presents thirty-eight special facts about Tendulkar. Some of them are well-known and a few of these priceless gems are in the knowledge of only die-hard Sachin fans. Take a look and if you are versed with something we have missed out; go ahead and sign into the feedback section below and pour it out.
1. Sachin Tendulkar wanted to become a fast bowler, but when he was rejected by Dennis Lillee’s MRF Pace Foundation in 1987. Lillee told the young Tendulkar to focus on his batting. The other youngster turned away by Lillee along with Tendulkar was Sourav Ganguly.
2. Sachin Tendulkar fielded for Pakistan as a substitute during a one-day practice match against India at the Brabourne Stadium in 1988.
3. Sachin Tendulkar and Vinod Kambli set a world record partnership of 664 runs in the Harris Shield, an inter-school tournament in Mumbai. Tendulkar scored an unbeaten 326 runs and reportedly the mammoth stand literally drove the opposition to tears.
4. Sachin Tendulkar at the age of 19 became the youngest Indian to play in county cricket.
5. Sachin Tendulkar had to wait for 79 matches for his first ODI century and by that time he had scored seven Test hundreds.
6. Sachin Tendulkar was the first batsman to be given out by the Third-umpire. In 1992, on the second day of the Durban Test, a Jonty Rhodes throw caught Tendulkar short of the crease. After watching TV replays he was adjudged out.
7. Sachin Tendulkar made his Test debut in 1989 against Pakistan in Karachi. In the same match, Pakistani pacer Waqar Younis also played his first Test match ever.
8. Sachin Tendulkar went to Sharadashram Vidyamandir School only after coach Ramakant Achrekar saw his batting potential. Achrekar was the cricket coach of Sharadashram Vidyamandir School. Before enrolling at Shardashram, Tendulkar went