'I had always imagined Anjali marrying a tall, dark and handsome man' Anjali Tendulkar's mother opens up about Sachin

Sachin Tendulkar, the legendary Indian cricketer, and his wife Anjali have shared a bond that has stood the test of time for nearly three decades. While their relationship has often been admired by fans, many details of their private life have remained under wraps. However, in a recent revelation, Anjali's mother, Annabelle Mehta, shared insights into Sachin's early proposal to her daughter, shedding light on the young cricketer’s determination to marry Anjali when he was just 19 years old.

A secret engagement: Sachin's proposal at 19

In her newly released memoir, My Passage to India, Annabelle Mehta recalls the moment when Sachin Tendulkar, then a 19-year-old rising cricket star, approached her with the intention of marrying her daughter, Anjali. Despite his youth, Sachin's conviction and maturity left a lasting impression on Annabelle. The couple decided to keep their engagement a secret, with Sachin focused on his burgeoning cricket career. It wasn’t until 1995, when Sachin was 22, that the couple publicly tied the knot, marking the beginning of their life together.

"I had clocked by then that Sachin was the brightest star in the Indian cricketing firmament, but I was concerned by the possibility of him becoming a playboy like so many of his fellow cricketers. Sachin in the nineties was like David Beckham in England. I needed to look him in the eye and ask him how he felt about my daughter," writes Annabelle.

"'We want to get married' were his precise words. I was astounded. I had always imagined Anjali marrying a tall, dark and handsome man. Dark and handsome, Sachin was. But at nineteen, he was still a boy. And so small. Barely taller than Anjali, who is five-foot-five and a half. Sachin's bouncy hair probably gives him another inch, but not enough for Anjali to wear the high heels she had always loved," adds Annabelle.

Anjali’s family and the move to India

Annabelle Mehta also touches on her family's move from England to India during the 1950s, a significant chapter in their lives that set the stage for Anjali and Sachin’s eventual union. Reflecting on those early days, Annabelle shares how her family adjusted to their new life in India and how these experiences shaped their perspectives. Her memoir provides an intimate look at the family’s journey and the role Anjali played in supporting Sachin through his illustrious career.

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Through these revelations, Annabelle Mehta offers fans a rare glimpse into the private lives of one of cricket's most beloved couples, highlighting the deep bond and shared history that have been the foundation of Sachin and Anjali Tendulkar's enduring marriage.