Sachin Tendulkar, the evergreen poster boy of Indian cricket, forever the Boy Genius who epitomized youth and youthful heroism, will turn 50 on Monday. To celebrate the milestone, TOI spoke to the legend about his journey so far, the gift of batting, the ups and downs, exhilarating moments and other vignettes of a life devoted to sport...
Sachin Tendulkar has turned 50. Read that again. SACHIN TENDULKAR HAS TURNED 50. How could he? We still remember him as the curly-haired, baby-faced boy wonder of 16, who battled the fiercest of fast bowlers aged 16 in 1989, in Pakistan, with a bloodied nose, refusing to take the sagely advice of the more battle-hardened colleagues to retire hurt with a stern shriek. "Nahin, main khelega".