When Sachin Tendulkar hit Virender Sehwag with the bat for singing! 

“Everyone has a different way to relax and concentrate. We have to find it. Sachin Tendulkar probably can’t sing and bat. He liked to talk,” Sehwag told The Ranveer Show.

“Once, in the 2011 world cup we were playing against South Africa.  I was in a great mood, singing and runs were also coming: in 5 overs we had scored 50-60. When we meet at the end of the overs, I will just punch his gloves, continue humming my song ‘chala jaata hoon ..’ And walk away.

He wanted to speak after the over. So, he waited one over, two overs.. and after the third over, he hit me with the bat ‘fataaak’. I was startled. And he says, “speak to me!” I told him, ‘I am in a good mood, humming songs, fours are coming! I don’t want to speak. You just keep saying ‘shabaash shabaash’! He liked to talk!”

Sehwag also talked up Tendulkar’s knowledge and said it can’t be compared with anyone else.

“His knowledge about cricket is something else. He would say, now the bowler will bowl fuller and hit your pad. And I would go, “arre, what you saying?’ And next ball, straight, just as he had said. Luckily, my bat came in the way. He knows what the bowler is thinking, what I would do if I am bowling to Sehwag. He would say, watch out, bouncer is coming, careful. That experience. His knowledge of cricket is way too high, than anyone else.

If Tendulkar’s knowledge is here (Sehwag raises his hand way above his head) the rest including Virat Kohli’s knowledge is here (points to his waist). Even now,” Sehwag said.

Sehwag also said about how Tendulkar would at times get disappointed that others didn’t bat or think about batting in the way he thought about the game.

“He would feel that the others should bat the way he did: that’s not possible. Like, I can hit fours and sixes, it’s not possible that others can do it. His way, only he can do it, I can’t do it. He might get angry occasionally – not in terms of off the field or some professionalism issues- purely about the batting. Why one is playing bad shots and getting out, why one can’t leave a delivery. Stuff like this. What he can do, others can’t. “

Sehwag also explained why he started to sing in between deliveries.

“There is no better relaxation technique than singing. Because you are not thinking about anything else. I used to do it a lot. I have gone to lots of psychiatrists to ask how do I stop thoughts – I would get a thought that I want to hit this ball. Some said try deep breathing. Some said some other technique. Nothing worked. I finish deep breathing but when I leave the breath, the thought to hit would return. And if it comes when the bowler is about to release, then what would I do? That’s why I started singing. It worked for me.”

He also spoke about how he once told Wasim Jaffer to recite the Quran while batting.

“I would tell others learn Hanuma Chalisa, sing it. That will block other thoughts. Once Wasim Jaffer asked me and I told him, you know the Quran? Then say that. He said ‘but I pray in some other time’. I said ‘ there is no time for prathna, prayer. It’s what we have made. Morning, afternoon, evening Quran etc. We can do it anytime.”

When I would bat well and runs were coming, I would be singing bollywood songs. And when runs weren’t coming., I would come to the bhajans! ‘teen-so saal, guru-k naal! Who doesn’t believe in god? It’s not about doing poojas and going to temples –  I do it of course, but more important is doing good things. Help people. What’s the use of poojas if you are not doing good to people?”