Like all Sachin Tendulkar fans you, too, would have loved to be in Mumbai for his farewell Test...
Yes, well, it would have been wonderful to be there. But I am in the studio doing what I do. And he’s doing what he does.
After all, duty is devotion...
Yes, I think Sachin and I are, sort of, dedicated to what we do (laughs).
When did you first hear about Sachin the batting prodigy?
Well, obviously, I knew about him when he was a teenager. It was quite unusual for such a young guy to play for the international side. That, in itself, was great. It’s been a fairy story all the way, hasn’t it? It’s just unbelievable.
You know everybody likes to talk about Sachin’s cricket. But I was very, very struck by him when we met in Mumbai (in 2005). I was sort of struck by him as a human being. That’s the extraordinary thing about him. You know, to have a common touch is a wonderful thing. He would never talk about it, I’m sure. His involvement in good things and, what I would like to say is that, in a quiet way he will do all he can do make the world a better place. We haven’t seen the last of that (laughs).
I have a feeling that he may
be able to concentrate in that area. Because
it’s not just in terms of his work with
underprivileged children or fighting cancer.
Just upping the game in schools across the
country... I really think he is going to go on
from strength to strength. A lot of people, when
they retire, sort of fade away from the picture
but I have a feeling that Sachin will be going
on making the world a better place.
He is also a Member of Parliament. That would
give him a great platform...
Of course, yes.
Have you watched him bat?
I never have!
So is that one of
your regrets in life?
Yes, absolutely. It will be! But one of my most
treasured possessions is a Sachin bat. We
actually swapped a bat and a guitar! But yes,
once again, I am sure you can find a lot of
people to talk about the cricket. He has got an
unbeatable record and is probably the greatest
cricketer of all time. But I was just very
impressed by the fact that he was so down to
earth. Him and his wife, too.
She is a very impressive
woman. As a couple, Sachin and Anjali seemed
very, very grounded.
Do you think it’s got to do with his
middle-class upbringing?
Absolutely. He did say somewhere it was his father’s
influence that helped him be so. His father
would be helping children along in the
neighbourhood.
What about Sachin the music lover. There’s a lot
of Dire Straits on his iPod!
Oh well, I am always delighted when the music I make is
used in life. People use them to celebrate,
people use them to mark milestones in their
lives. And they use them to help get through the
tough periods. And, of course, we all have tough
periods. I am always very much moved by what
people would say.
Did Sachin tell you that your music helped him?
(Laughs) well, I think balance is everything in Sachin’s
game. Just being in the right place, mentally,
is very important (in cricket). You don’t need
the same piece of music every time. You need
different kinds of music for different moods and
different periods. Sometimes, you probably want
to be having something a little more intense.
And, at other times, you need something to
smooth the bumps out. But I am delighted if my
music has been of any use to Sachin. And I am
more than delighted that he’s used the music to
help him as a sportsperson and live.
Have you asked him about his favourite Dire
Straits album? Which of your numbers do you
think relate best to him?
I never did (laughs). But I would imagine that Going
Home: Theme of the Local Hero would probably be
pretty important. I would think it might relate
to him. Though it’s an instrumental piece, but
it would relate to his achievements. Because if
Sachin’s not a hero, then who is?
Your career has spanned several decades. And
Sachin played international cricket for 24
years. How tough is it to be at the top of your
game for so long? And what are the ingredients
that go into the making of a champion?
(Long pause) well, I think, desire. You have to want to
be there. I don’t think there is any other
substitute for that. Looking forward to ‘getting
in and doing it’ is paramount. The moment I feel
I don’t want to come into the studio or get up
on the stage, I’ll know it’s time to hang them
up. But it doesn’t happen to me. I may cut down
(on some work). I may not be touring as much,
but I would be recording even more. Or I may be
writing even more. I love that. That’s what I am
involved with right now. So I regard myself as
very fortunate to be able to do all that.
Whereas, with cricket, there are so many sides to it. With Sachin, it’s not just his batting. He’s a fabulous fielder and a fabulous bowler. It’s a little bit like players who practise a little harder than the others. It’s the desire to succeed. I understand that when Sachin practised, he would be in the nets for hours. And that’s how it happens.
It’s a funny old thing, you know. I used to fall asleep while playing (the guitar). And when I was working with the great (American) guitar player Chet Atkins (nicknamed ‘Mr Guitar’ and ‘The Country Gentleman’). I happened to mention that I used to fall asleep. And Chet said he’d do exactly the same thing! He said your fingers are going but your eyes are closing. And instead of concentrating on things that I should have been concentrating on, like schoolwork, you know I was playing and getting myself to sleep playing the guitar (laughs).
I think it’s just the desire
and also the fact I love all sides of it. I love
all sides of music. I love writing. That comes
first. I love recording. And all I want to do is
write a good song and make a good record of it.
That’s all I want to do. But then, I also enjoy
performing, live. It’s clear that why cricket is
such an involving game. There are so many
different sides to it. Your standards and the
demands of it are not just as a batsman but also
as an all-rounder. But then, Sachin probably
felt his work rate has to be harder than anyone
else. He can bowl. It is a many-sided thing. He
has been absorbed in it for many years. He can
also bowl so many different kinds of deliveries,
can’t he? (But now that he has retired), he
would be looking forward so many wonderful
things and, of course, to make the world a
better place to live in.
There’s a beautiful picture of you with Sachin
and Anjali. He’s holding your guitar and you his
bat. Is that the same guitar you performed with?
Yes, I was very fond of that guitar. It was a great
guitar. It was a signature Fender Stratocaster.
And just like that, Sachin gave me a signature
bat of his. So it was a straight swap (laughs).
By the way, your guitar occupies pride of place
in his bungalow...
Same here! Sachin’s bat is in my study. In fact, it’s
within six feet of wherever I am.
What is your favourite Tendulkar moment?
I do remember his 100th century. He was on 99 for a long
time. That was something. Do you remember?
Yes, it took him over a year to break the jinx.
So when did you first meet him?
It was in 2005, in Mumbai (that’s where the ‘swap’ took
place). We spent a couple of hours and we also
spoke about injuries. I was having problems with
my forearm. We chatted about that because he had
a similar injury or something that was probably
even worse (tennis elbow). But you know, in
fact, I spoke to Anjali (who’s a doctor) about
my injury (laughs). It was very useful.
Actually, it’s been a lot
better for me now. In fact, if you do speak to
Sachin, please give him my very best and tell
him that my arm is not bothering me as much. And
I have learnt to relax. The harder I play, I
have tried to relax more. That’s what the secret
is. Try not to stiffen up the arm when it gets
intense.
Did he give you that piece of advice?
Yes, he told me that. I eventually managed to get
control of that. This goes to show you go on
learning in life.
Do you fancy a jamming session with him? He’s
not a bad singer...
I bet he’s not bad. Next time I come (to India), we’ll
see what we can do!