Former Indian opener Navjot Singh Sidhu revealed the 16-year-old Sachin Tendulkar’s determination story when the right-handed batter told “main khelega” (I will play) after getting hit on his nose, which was bleeding. 

Sachin Tendulkar is a legendary cricketer in Indian cricket history, and the entire cricket world respects him hugely. The right-handed batter set many international cricket records in his more than two decades of international cricket career. 

Sachin made his international cricket debut at the age of 16 when India toured Pakistan. Hosts Pakistan then had pacers like Waqar Younis, Washim Akram, and Imran Khan, who were threats to every world-class batter. Then helmets were only for the shielding head and nearby, and there wasn’t any front grill to cover the face.

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Four batters were out for single-digit scores

Jinnah Stadium in Sialkot hosted the last Test of the four-match Test series. India went on to secure the Test match on the final day of that fourth Test, while the visitors lost their first four wickets for only 38 runs in the third innings of the match, where India earlier had a 74-run lead. Apart from the opener Navjot Sidhu, all other batters among the top five failed to reach even the 5-run mark. 

Sachin Tendulkar said "main khelega" to Navjot Sidhu

It was a tough time for the visitors when Sachin joined Sidhu in the crease. In the early period of that innings, Sachin was hit on his nose when he was facing Pakistan fast bowler Waqar Younis. Although Sachin’s nose was bleeding and Sidhu was sure enough for the youngster’s retired hurt, Sachin didn’t give up and told “main khelega” (I will play).

पाकिस्तान, खून और सचिन....#INDvsPAK #ChampionsTrophy pic.twitter.com/C7nGZKsV8X

— Abhishek Tripathi / अभिषेक त्रिपाठी (@abhishereporter) February 21, 2025

Sidhu and Sachin set up an incredible 101-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Sachin scored his second Test half-century and was only dismissed by Imran Khan after scoring a valuable 57 off 134 balls with six fours. India successfully saved that Test match, while Sidhu won the Player of the Match award for scoring valuable 97 runs off 234 balls in that third innings.