Learning the Game
Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar
Read the passage from the extract 'Learning The Game' and answer the questions that follow :
From a very early age, I played tennis-ball cricket with my colony friends. I loved watching cricket on television and in our games, I often tried to emulate the mannerisms of my favourite players, Sunil Gavaskar and the West Indian legend Viv Richards. But it wasn't just the batsmen that I studied. I also loved bowling. Throughout my career, I have actually bowled a lot in the nets. I was then studying in the New English School, Mumbai. But my brother Ajit knew that compared to other schools in Mumbai, Shardashram Vidhyamandir where Ramakant Achrekar Sir was the cricket coach, gave due importance to the game of cricket. He ran summer camps too. Ajit, one day, took me to the camp to get trained under Sir. Anyone could come for a trial at the camp; but then, it was up to Sir to decide who to
accept. I was eleven years old then. Achrekar Sir, as I refer to him, started playing cricket at the age of eleven in 1943, which is the age I was when I went to him for the first time.
1. What did Sachin try to emulate while watching cricket matches in television?
Answer :
Sachin Tried to emulate the mannerisms of his favourite players, Sunil Gavaskar and the West Indian legend Viv Richards.
2. With whom did Sachin play tennis ball cricket in his early childhood?
Answer :
With his colony friends
3. Who were Sachin's favourite cricket players in childhood?
Answer :
Sunil Gavaskar and the West Indian legend Viv Richards.
4. Where did Sachin study in childhood?
Answer :
New English School, Mumbai
5. Who is Sachin's brother?
Answer :
Ajit Tendulkar
6. Why did Ajit think Shardashram Vidhyamandir was better school than any other schools in Bombay?
Answer :
Because Shardashram Vidhyamandir school gave much priority to cricket where Ramakant Achrekar Sir was the Cricket coach.
7. What was special about Shardashram Vidhyamandir?
Answer :
Shardashram Vidhyamandir school gave much priority to cricket where Ramakant Achrekar Sir was the Cricket coach.
8. What was the criteria for selection in the camp conducted by Ramakant Achrekar Sir?
Answer :
Those who wanted to get admission must attend a free trial at first. Anybody could come to attend for a trial, but it was up to Sir to decided who to accept.
9. At what age did Sachin came to Achrekar Sir for a trial?
Answer :
Eleven years old
10. What is the common factor in the passage about Sachin and Achrekar Sir?
Answer :
It was at the age of eleven, Achrekar Sir started playing cricket. Sachin too came to him for a trial at the same age.
11. Why did Ajit take Sachin to the Summer Camp?
Answer :
The summer camp was conducted by Ramakant Achrekar Sir. Ajit knew that he was a good coach. So he took Sachin to the camp to get trained under him.
12. Pick out the word from the passage which means 'to imitate'.
Answer :
Emulate
Read the passage from the extract 'Learning The Game' and answer the questions that follow:
I had never batted in the nets before and felt somewhat overawed with so many people around. When I was asked to bat, I was not at all comfortable. With Sir watching me so closely, I failed to make an impact. Sir called Ajit aside and informed him that I was perhaps too young to make the camp and suggested that he should bring me back when I was a little older. My induction into the Mumbai cricket circuit could have ended in failure -- but for Ajit's insistence. Having seen me play in the colony, Ajit knew I was capable of performing far better than I had done in front of Achrekar Sir. He explained that I was nervous and asked Sir to give me one more opportunity. However, he suggested that while doing so, Sir should pretend to go away and then watch from a distance. Sir agreed. Before long, I was asked to bat again and, without Sir's trained eyes scrutinizing me -- or so I thought, I felt more at ease and soon started to hit the ball well. This time, Sir agreed to let me join the camp. I was delighted and I must say it was an opportunity that transformed my life. The camp involved a session every morning and evening at Shivaji Park. I would practise between 7.30 am and 10.30 am in the morning. Then I'd come back in the afternoon and practise till late evening. The schedule was rigorous and I would be exhausted by the end of the day. Travelling to Shivaji Park took forty minutes from my house in Bandra and I had to catch an early morning bus to make it on time. For the first few days, Ajit accompanied me, to get me used to the routine. During the bus journeys, he would talk to me about the nuances of batting, and I always enjoyed these conversations a lot. In fact, the one thing that I have kept with me all my career is a note that Ajit gave me containing some thoughts about batting. It served as a very personal coaching manual.
13. Why did Sachin fail to make an impact at the first trial? / Why did Sachin feel discomfort at the first trial?
Answer :
It was Sachin's first experience to bat in the nets. Sachin felt discomfort as he was asked to bat in front of many people. More over his real tension was the presence of Achrekar Sir who had been waching him very closely.
14. What did Achrekar sir suggest to Ajit about Sachin?
Answer :
He told that Sachin was too young to make the camp and should be brought back when he grew a little older.
15. "My induction into the Mumbai cricket circuit could have ended in failure -- but for Ajit's insistence."- Why did Sachin tell do?
Answer :
As Sachin failed to make an impact in his first trial, Achrekar sir told Ajit that he was too old to join the camp. But Ajit knew well that Sachin can perform far better than he had done in front of Achrekar Sir. So, he explained that Sachin was nervous. Ajit asked Sir to give him one more opportunity. Sachin played well in the second chance and made Achrekar sir impressed.
16. Why could sachin hit the balls well at the second chance?
Answer :
As Achrekar Sir pretended to go away, Sachin thought that Sir was not watching him. So, Sachin got more confidence and started to hit the ball well.
17. According to Sachin, What was the opportunity that changed his life? Why did he tell so?
Answer :
Sachin got admission in the summer camp of Achrekar Sir. Because of Sir's strict training Sachin became a world class cricketer.
18. What was the schedule of Sachin at the summer camp of Achrekar Sir?
Answer :
The camp involved a session every morning and evening at Shivaji Park. He would practise between 7.30 am and 10.30 am in the morning. Then he'd come back in the afternoon and practise till late evening. The schedule was rigorous and he would be exhausted by the end of the day.
19. Why did Sachin feel that the schedule of the camp was ‘rigorous’?
Answer:
The camp involved a session every morning and evening at Shivaji Park. Sachin would practise between 7.30 am and 10.30 am in the morning. Then he'd come back in the afternoon and practise till late evening. After the practice sessions , Sachin would be completely exhausted. So he felt that the schedule of the camp was a rigorous one.
20. How long did it take to reach to Shivaji Park from Bandra by bus?
Answer :
40 minutes
21. What would Ajit talk to Sachin during the bus journeys?
Answer :
about the nuances of batting.
Answer :
The note that Ajit gave Sachin containing some thoughts about batting served as a very personal coaching manual to him.
Read the passage from the extract 'Learning The Game' and answer the questions that follow :
As a child, I had only one set of cricket clothes and the routine was to wash them as soon as I'd returned from the morning session. While I had my lunch, the clothes would dry out in the sun and I would wear them again in the afternoon. The pattern was repeated in the evening so that I could use the same set of clothes the following morning. The system worked well -- apart from my pockets. There was never quite enough time for the pockets to dry out completely, and for the entire duration of the camp I played with wet pockets. By the middle of the summer camp, Sir had started taking an active interest in my batting and at the end of the two months, informed Ajit that I had the potential to be a good cricketer if I practised all year round. However, my school-- the New English School in Bandra -- did not have cricket facilities and Sir was keen for me to change schools if I wanted to pursue cricket seriously. One evening, Sir called my father and put forward his suggestion. Ajit was in the room with my father at the time and they both accepted that it was necessary, if cricket was to be my priority. My father sat me down and explained that while he did not have any objections to my changing schools, I should do so only if I was really serious about playing cricket. I assured him I was, and so it was agreed that I should move to Shardashram Vidhyamandir, where Achrekar Sir was the cricket coach. All my excess energies were getting channelled into cricket, which acted as a kind of safety valve. My father always said that all he wanted me to do was give it my best effort without worrying about the results.
23. “The system worked well – apart from my pockets.” What is the ‘system’ referred to here by Sachin?
Answer:
Sachin had only one set of cricket clothes. So his routine was to wash and dry them after each session so that he could wear them for the next session. This routine is the ‘system’ referred to by Sachin.
24. What was the problem did Sachin face during his summer camp?
Answer :
Sachin had only one set of cricket clothes. So his routine was to wash and dry them after each session so that he could wear them for the next session. But the problem was that the time was not enough for drying his pockets. So, he had to play with wet pockets for the entire duration of the camp.
25. What was the suggestion put forward by Achrekar Sir towards Sachin's father and brother?
Answer :
Achrekar Sir suggested that it was better for Sachin to change his studies from New English School to Shardashram Vidhyamandir if he wanted to pursue cricket seriously.
26. Why was Sachin asked to change the school?
Answer :
The New English School where Sachin studied did not have cricket facilities. His coach advised him to change his school if he wanted to take cricket seriously.
27. What was the condition laid down by Sachin’s father for changing the school?
Answer :
Sachin's father said that he could change schools if Sachin was really serious about playing cricket.
28. What did Sachin consider as a kind of safety valve?
Answer:All his excess energies were channeled into playing cricket and Sachin considered this as a safety valve.
29. What did Sachin's father always say to him?
Answer :
Sachin's father always advised his son to make his best effort without worrying about the results.
In my first year at Shardashram, I played fifty-five practice matches during the summer break of sixty days. My summer sessions used to start at 7.30 am and end at 4.30 pm. My evening session would start at 5 pm after only a thirty-minute break. During the break, Sir would often give me some money to go and have a vadapav (a popular Mumbai fast food). Between 5 pm and 7 pm I'd have five more net sessions. Towards the last 15 minutes, Sir would place a one-rupee coin on top of the stumps and if I managed to avoid getting out, the coin was mine. In this session, every bowler in the camp would come and bowl to me, with some sixty to seventy boys fielding. It meant I had to hit every ball along the ground to survive those intense fifteen minutes. Winning the one-rupee coin used to give me immense satisfaction and taught me how to concentrate even when physically drained. At the end of it all, Sir would tell me to run two full circuits of Shivaji Park with my pads and gloves on. That was the last part of my training and I'd be completely exhausted by the end of it all. It was a routine I would repeat right through my summer holidays and it helped me to build up physical and mental stamina.
30. How many practice matches did Sachin play during the sixty days of summer camp?
Answer :
fifty-five practice matches
31. What was the timings of the Summer camp?
Answer :
The summer sessions used to start at 7.30 am and end at 4.30 pm. The evening session would start at 5 pm after only a thirty-minute break.
32. What was the experiment did Achrekar Sir give to Sachin during the summer camp?
Answer :
Towards the last 15 minutes, Sir would place a one-rupee coin on top of the stumps and if Sachin managed to avoid getting out, the coin was his. In this session, every bowler in the camp would come and bowl to him, with some sixty to seventy boys fielding. It meant he had to hit every ball along the ground to survive those intense fifteen minutes.
33. How did the act with the one rupee coin help Sachin become a good cricketer?
Answer :
Winning the one-rupee coin used to give him immense satisfaction and taught him how to concentrate even when physically drained.
34. What activity was the last part of Sachin's training?
Answer :
At the end of the training, Sir would tell Sachin to run two full circuits of Shivaji Park with his pads and gloves on.
35. What helped Sachin to build up physical and mental stamina?
Answer :
His rigorous practice at the summer camp.
Read the passage from the extract 'Learning The Game' and answer the questions that follow :
Occasionally, my father came to take me home and I would always ask him to treat me to a special fruit cocktail at a juice centre near the club. While this regular demand was a little unreasonable, because at the time I did not realize that my parents also had to take care of the needs of my brothers and sister, my father would invariably end up giving me what I wanted, just to see me happy. On other days, when I made my way home from Shivaji Park on my own, I'd often fall asleep on the bus -- if I managed to sit down. Anyone who has been on a Mumbai bus at peak hours will know just how difficult it is to get a seat. On days when I wasn't so lucky, it was still a challenge just to stand with the kitbag, because the bus conductors would inevitably complain about me taking up the space of another passenger. It could be embarrassing because the conductors were often rude and would sometimes ask me to buy two tickets. I didn't have the money for a second ticket and I had to learn to take these remarks in my stride. Dirty clothes often added to the embarrassment. With time, I evolved a way of wrapping the kitbag around me. Just as the helmet and pads became a part of me while batting, so the kitbag became an extension of me on the bus. I'd often take the bus or train from Bandra to Church gate, and it was all a great learning experience.
36. What would Sachin always ask his father?
Answer :
to treat him to a special fruit cocktail at a juice centre near the club.
37. What was the unreasonable regular demand of Sachin to his father? Why did he feel that it was a little unreasonable?
Answer :
According to Sachin, his regular demand for cocktail was the unreasonable one. He felt so because his parents also had to take care of the needs of his brothers and sister.
38. What was the challenge would Sachin face in the bus?
Answer :
Standing with the kitbag, because the bus conductors would complain about him taking up the space of another passenger and would sometimes ask him to buy two tickets. Dirty clothes often added to the embarrassment.
39. How did Sachin solve his problem about the kitbag in the bus?
Answer :
He evolved a way of wrapping the kitbag around him. Just as the helmet and pads became a part of him while batting, so the kitbag became an extension of him on the bus.
Read the passage from the extract 'Learning The Game' and answer the questions that follow :
Even though I loved cricket, there were still occasional days when playing with my friends at home was such fun that I would conveniently forget I was supposed to go to the nets. If I didn't turn up, Achrekar Sir would jump on to his scooter and come to find me. Sir would spot me in the mele'e and virtually drag me out. I would come up with excuses but he would have none of it. He would get me to change and head off to Shivaji Park. On the drive he would tell me, "Don't waste your time playing inane games with these kids. Cricket is waiting for you at the nets. Practise hard and see what magic can transpire." At that time, I hated being dragged off but as I look back, I feel sheepish about my actions and can only admire Achrekar Sir's farsightedness.
Sir also punished me on one occasion when trying to teach me a very important lesson. Once, I bunked my daily evening practice to watch an inter-school cricket match not anticipating that Sir would be there. He was angry and he said it wasn't for me to come and watch other people play for, if I practised hard enough, one day people from across the world would come and watch me play. Had it not been for Sir, I would not be the cricketer I turned out to be. He was a strict disciplinarian and did everything he could for me. I owe myself to him.
40. Why did Sachin conveniently forget to go to the nets?
Answer :
To play with his friends at home.
41. What would Achrekar Sir do when Sachin skip the nets?
Answer :
Achrekar Sir would come to find Sachin on his scooter and would spot him. He would come up with excuses but Sir wouldn't care it. Sir would then take him to Shivaji Park.
42. ‘Cricket is waiting for you at the nets. Practice hard and see what magic can transpire. ‘What aspect of a coach can you infer in Achrekar here?
Answer :
Achrekar Sir never allowed Sachin to skip his practice. This shows that he was a responsible and sincere coach. He had a far sighting vision about Sachin's Carrier.
43. When did Achrekar Sir punish Sachin?
Answer :
When Sachin bunked his daily evening practice to watch an inter-school cricket match not anticipating that Sir would be there. This made sir very angry and gave Sachin the punishment.
44. What advice did Achrekar sir give Sachin as he bunked his practice?
Answer :
Sir said that it wasn't for him to come and watch other people play for, if he practised hard enough, one day people from across the world would come and watch him play.
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45. Prepare a character sketch of Ramakant Achrekar.
Ramakant Achrekar : A Talented Coach
Ramakant Achrekar was an Indian cricket coach from Mumbai. He was most famous for coaching young cricketers at Shivaji Park Mumbai, most notably the great master blaster Sachin Tendulkar. In his early carrier he worked as the coach at Shardashram Vidhyamandir School in Mumbai. He ran summer camps there. He selected the players after watching them closely. Sachin got admission in his summer camp at the age of eleven. Achrekar identified the potential of Sachin. He gave him rigorous practice in the morning and evening. Achrekar had a clear far sighting vision on Sachin's Carrier. So, he requested Sachin's parents to change Sachin's school. Thus Sachin joined Shardashram where Achrekar sir was the cricket coach. He was kind and a very strict coach too. He never accepted the excuses. He also punished Sachin on one occassion. He was angry with Sachin when bunked his evening practice. He advised him not to play insane games with other boys. He was a strict disciplinarian. It's only because of Achrekar's strict discipline and far sightedness, Sachin became a great cricketer. "It wasn't good for you to come and watch other people play. If you practised hard enough, one day people from across the world would come and watch you play." - These words of Achrekar to Sachin show his far sighting vision. Most of all, he is a kind, strict and talented coach who can boost the talent of his Disciples.
Narrate in your own words the hardships underwent by Sachin to become a great cricketer.
46. Prepare a Narrative based on the lesson " Learning the Game "
Answer :
Hard work is the Key to Success
Sachin was born in Mumbai. He belonged to a middle class family. He showed his skill and interests in cricket since his early childhood. It was Ajit Tendulkar, Sachin's brother who found the in born talent of Sachin in cricket at first. He decided to give him better training. So, he took Sachin to the camp of popular cricket coach Ramakant Achrekar Sir at the age of 11. Though Sachin failed to make an impact at the first attempt, he got a second chance by the intervention of Ajit. Ajit told Sir that it was because of embarrassment that Sachin couldn't bat well. So, he requested Achrekar Sir to pretend as he was not noticing him. That idea worked well. Thinking that Achrekar Sir was not watching him, Sachin batted well with ease. Thus he got the chance to join the summer camp of Achrekar Sir.
The practice at the summer camp were very rigorous. The sessions were held every morning and evening. Sachin practised hard at the nets. Sachin had only one set of clothes. So, he had to wash his clothes after each sessions. Though the system worked well, it didn't get enough time to dry out the pockets! Hence, Sachin had to play throughout the sixty days of the summer camp with wet pockets. He had rigorous practice for several hours. He was tired by the end of the day.
Towards the last 15 minutes of each day, Sir would place a one-rupee coin on top of the stumps and if Sachin managed to avoid getting out, the coin was his. In this session, every bowler in the camp would come and bowl to him, with some sixty to seventy boys fielding. It meant he had to hit every ball along the ground to survive those intense fifteen minutes. Winning the one-rupee coin used to give him immense satisfaction and taught him how to concentrate even when physically drained. At the end of the training, Sir would tell Sachin to run two full circuits of Shivaji Park with his pads and gloves on.
Achrekar Sir was a very strict coach. He never allowed Sachin to skip the practices. Whenever Sachin tried to evade the nets, Sir would come on his scooter and took Sachin to Shivaji Park. Once, When Sachin bunked his daily evening practice to watch an inter-school cricket match not anticipating that Sir would be there. This made sir very angry and gave Sachin the punishment.Sir said that it wasn't fair for him to come and watch other people play. If he practised hard enough, one day people from across the world would come and watch him play. It's sure that Sir made Sachin a great cricketer. Sachin owed himself to Achrekar.
47. Prepare six interview questions you may ask to Sachin Tendulkar.
Answer :
> Who inspired you to choose cricket as a carrier?
> Do you think your family played an important role in making you a cricketer?
> In your opinion, what qualities should a cricketer possess ?
> What advice would you like to give to the young cricketers of India?
> What is your impression about Achrekar Sir as your cricket coach?
> Who is your favourite cricketer? Why?
> What is your greatest strength and weakness ?
48. Prepare six interview questions you may ask to Sachin's brother Ajit Tendulkar.
Answer :
> How did you identify Sachin's passion to cricket?
> Why did you take Sachin to Achrekar Sir to coach him?
> Have you ever expected that Sachin would become a famous Indian cricketer?
> What advice did you give to Sachin in his budding stage?
> Do you believe that family plays a big role in one's success?
> What quality of Sachin do you like the most?
> What is the greatest strength and weakness of Sachin in your opinion?
49. Determination, hardwork and motivation played a major role in shaping Sachin's Career as a true cricketer. Prepare a speech on "The Role of Motivation in Success" to be delivered in the school assembly highlighting the life of Sachin.
Answer :
Respected teachers and my dear friends,
I'm very happy to get a chance to deliver a few words before you on the topic "The Role of Motivation in Success". Do you know what is the important key behind the success of every person? It's nothing but the motivation. Motivation is very important for the overall development of the personality and mindset of the people. It also puts a person in action and in a competitive state. Furthermore, it improves efficiency and desire to achieve the goal. It leads to stability and improvement in work.
Here is a story I would like to share with you about how motivation and dedication lead one to success. The story is about our one and only legend, the master blaster Sachin Tendulkar. You all know that Sachin was born in Bombay in a common middle class family. His passion to cricket is firstly identified by his elder brother Ajit Tendulkar. He took him to Achrekar Sir for better coaching. Later Achrekar Sir became the best coach and mentor of Sachin. His strict coaching and motivations gave much confidence to Sachin. He motivated Sachin by advising that "It wasn't good for you to come and watch other people play. If you practised hard enough, one day people from across the world would come and watch you play." In short, we can surely say that Sachin owed himself to Achrekar.
It's not only Achrekar Sir and Ajit gave him the motivation, but his father also gave Sachin complete freedom and guidance. When Achrekar gave the proposal to change Sachin's school, his father agreed with that without much hesitation. Sachin's father always advised him to make his best effort without worrying about the results. By all these incidents, we can reach a conclusion that the motivation and guidance given to Sachin is the prime reason behind his great success.
I'm concluding my words by thanking you all for spending your precious time listening my speech.
Thank you.
50. The sports club of your school has decided to organise a function to congratulate Ramakant Achrekar Sir who made Sachin Tendulkar 'The God of cricket'. Draft a notice for the function giving necessary details .
Answer :
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