When you talk about cricket legends, the first name that comes to mind is Sachin Tendulkar. Known as the “God of Cricket,” Sachin is more than just a cricketer. He is a symbol of dedication, passion, and excellence in the sport.
For over two decades, he carried the hopes of a billion fans and gave them countless memories to cherish. His records speak for themselves. In his 24-year-long international career, Sachin scored a jaw-dropping 34,357 runs, which is over 6,000 more than the next-best, Kumar Sangakkara.
He also became the first player in the world to score 100 international centuries, with 51 in Tests and 49 in ODIs. From fast bowlers to world-class spinners, Sachin took on every challenge and came out on top more often than not.
What made Sachin special was not just the numbers, but also the quality of bowlers he faced. He played against some of the greatest bowlers in cricket history, names like Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, Muttiah Muralitharan, and Dale Steyn.
These were bowlers who could destroy batting line-ups, but Sachin stood firm and found ways to score runs against all of them. But despite facing so many legends, Sachin recently revealed the toughest bowler he ever faced in his career and he is none other than Pakistan’s Wasim Akram.
Sachin paid a heartfelt tribute to Akram in the fast bowler’s autobiography, Sultan: A Memoir. He recalled the first time he faced Wasim and how different the experience was compared to any other bowler. According to Sachin, Wasim Akram was special.
He wrote, “A bowler of Akram’s calibre, who made the ball talk, lifts your game. His run-up was so natural, and unlike most fast bowlers, he didn’t need to measure his steps. He could start from anywhere and still be just as effective.” That speaks volumes about the kind of talent and control Wasim had, making life tough even for a master like Sachin.
Sachin also mentioned how Akram helped him improve as a batsman. Facing a bowler like Wasim forced him to be better, to find new ways to tackle the swing and pace. He added, “When I first played against him, I had never faced anyone like Wasim. He was special. We always maintained a warm friendship.” It’s rare to see such genuine praise from one great to another, and it shows the mutual respect they shared over the years.
Wasim Akram’s numbers back up everything Sachin said. He picked up 502 wickets in ODIs, making him the highest wicket-taker among pacers in the format. Overall, he took 916 international wickets in 460 matches across a remarkable 19-year career. He was a master of swing, reverse swing, and pace – a complete package who could trouble the best batters in the world.