Batting icon Sachin Tendulkar was at his witty best during an “Ask Me Anything” session on Reddit on Monday, August 25, leaving fans entertained with his mix of humour, insight, and candid revelations. The former India captain, who has seamlessly adapted to the digital era, combined light-hearted banter with thoughtful reflections on cricket, family, and life beyond the pitch.
One of the standout moments came when Tendulkar was asked about legendary umpire Steve Bucknor, with whom he shared several controversial on-field encounters. In trademark style, the Master Blaster responded with a cheeky one-liner: “When I am batting, give him boxing gloves to wear (so he can’t raise his finger).”
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The comment quickly went viral, a reminder of the famous Tendulkar–Bucknor duels that once divided cricket fans. From the 2003–04 Australia tour to Pakistan in 2005, Bucknor’s decisions often went against the Indian great, sparking heated debates. Yet, Tendulkar’s ability to look back on those moments with humour highlights his grace and sportsmanship.
The AMA session also saw Tendulkar address more personal aspects. Confirming his son Arjun Tendulkar’s engagement to Saaniya Chandok, granddaughter of noted Mumbai businessman Ravi Ghai, Sachin spoke warmly about family happiness. When a fan mischievously asked him to prove his identity with a voice note, Tendulkar responded with a photo and the witty remark: “Abhi Aadhaar bhi bheju kya? (Should I send my Aadhaar now?).”
Naturally, cricket dominated much of the discussion. Tendulkar showered praise on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for their invaluable contributions to Indian cricket, while also expressing confidence in the younger generation under Shubman Gill. Referring to India’s spirited performance on the England tour, he said the team’s future looks “secure and bright.”
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The maestro also revisited the unforgettable 2011 World Cup final. Fans quizzed him on MS Dhoni’s decision to bat ahead of Yuvraj Singh, a move often credited to Tendulkar himself. While he stopped short of confirming Sehwag’s earlier claim, Tendulkar broke down the tactical reasoning.
The left-right combination was crucial against Sri Lanka’s spinners, and Dhoni’s familiarity with Muttiah Muralitharan, gained from their Chennai Super Kings days, made him the ideal choice. The rest, of course, is cricketing folklore — Dhoni’s unbeaten 91 guiding India to a historic triumph at the Wankhede.
Looking beyond Indian cricket, Tendulkar was effusive in his praise for England’s Joe Root. Recalling Root’s Test debut in Nagpur in 2012, Tendulkar said he immediately sensed leadership qualities and batting maturity in the youngster. “When I saw him for the first time, I told my teammates they were watching the future captain of England,” he revealed.
With 13,543 runs to his name, Root has since surpassed legends like Ricky Ponting, Jacques Kallis, and Rahul Dravid, standing second only to Tendulkar himself on the list of all-time Test run-scorers. From witty comebacks to nostalgic cricketing anecdotes, Sachin Tendulkar’s Reddit AMA perfectly captured the essence of why fans still hang on to every word of the Little Master — wisdom laced with humility and humour.
