NEW DELHI: Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar recently sat down for an exclusive interview with TimesofIndia.com, sharing his thoughts on the Indian Street Premier League (ISPL), his cherished memories of tennis ball cricket, and the importance of grassroots cricket development.
Tendulkar believes that street cricket is the foundation for most professional cricketers. Reflecting on his early days, he said, “Street cricket is a lot of fun, and that is where it all started. Most cricketers, I believe, began with street cricket. You don’t reach the tenth standard directly; you start from the first standard, and that is exactly what it is. I started playing with a tennis ball before transitioning to a season ball.”
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Tendulkar recalled how playing with a tennis ball shaped his technique. “Even when we started playing with a season ball, our coach, Achrekar sir, would make us play with a tennis ball during the monsoons. Shivaji Park used to be flooded, but we still managed our practice matches. Cricket went on for 12 months, and Achrekar sir always found ways to make us play. He taught us adaptability, helping us understand how to score runs in all conditions.”

Discussing ISPL, Tendulkar highlighted the introduction of reverse swing in tennis ball cricket. “The idea was to maintain a balance between bat and ball. In a 10-over game, everyone wants to hit every ball out of the park. But when we introduced reverse swing, batters had to rethink their strategy. Over time, they will adapt and innovate, making the game more exciting and fair.”
ISPL has also introduced a unique rule for big hitters. “If a batter clears a certain distance while hitting a six, they will be awarded nine runs instead of six. This keeps the game alive till the last ball. Imagine needing seven runs on the last ball – if the batter gets the distance, the game is still on!”
Tendulkar encouraged ISPL participants to enjoy the game with passion and commitment. “Stay in love with cricket, express yourself fearlessly but not carelessly. These matches are being covered live, and everything you do reflects on your family and upbringing. Be yourself, and enjoy the game!”