Driving with Sachin Tendulkar
Tags:
Thousands have seen Sachin Tendulkar score those big runs. But Jivitesh Reddy, from Hyderabad, got the rare opportunity to see the cricket legend behind the wheel, tackling laps with what has been described as “racing precision“.
The Director of Niraj Education Society, Jivitesh was selected to drive the BMW's new 1 series in Germany last week. That's where he ran into Sachin. The 43-year-old says, “We were told beforehand that Sachin would be visiting us in Munich. But we were not sure. That was until he walked into the driving circuit. Trust me, we went blank. Though we were uncertain of his visit, we had all come with a bank of questions for Sachin.”
Jivitesh was in for another “surprise” at the Maisach circuit. “I was chosen to be the first person to sit next to Sachin inside the car. I can't find words to express the moment,“ recollects Jivitesh, And as the two took turns behind the wheels, getting hang of the controls and switching between the laps, Jivitesh observed Sachin closely. “He is a little genius. Passionate, humble and down-to-earth. He speaks so well and is a fast learner, a good listener and has a very good memory,“ Jivitesh says as if in a trance, adding, “Later in the evening, I reminded him of his stay in Secunderabad Club in the late 1980s and he remembered. And his 2002 visit to inaugurate a library.” “After the training at the circuit, we were divided into two groups. One was led by ace racer Armaan Ebrahim, and the other by Sachin. I was in Sachin's team!” “He lost to Armaan only by 0.3 second. Can you beat that? Armaan is a champion in his own right.”
“Honestly, Sachin is so good behind the wheels that he can pursue racing as his second career. He knows so much about cars that it seems like you cannot teach him anything more,” adds Jivitesh.
Jivitesh also points out how Sachin is enjoying his life post-retirement. “Sachin said he was spending a lot more time with Anjali and his kids. In fact, they were ids. In fact, they were both in London for some time before they flew down to Munich. During dinner, we could see that Sachin was breathing easy and liking his space. There was nobody to mob him and he liked it.”
Post new comment