Weird facts: Sachin Tendulkar took the field for Pakistan before his India debut

November 15, 1989, is remembered widely as the day Sachin Tendulkar began his illustrious career for India. Tendulkar kickstarted his journey at the highest level as a 16-year-old playing against arch-rivals Pakistan in Karachi and went on to rewrite record books over the next two decades.

However, how many of you know that the child prodigy actually got his first taste of international cricket a couple of years before his India debut and turned up for Pakistan?

Sachin Tendulkar fielded for the neighbouring country in an exhibition match played at the historic Brabourne Stadium between Indians and Pakistanis to mark the golden jubilee of the Cricket Club of India (CCI) on the 20th of January, 1987.

Also Read: When Sachin Tendulkar Ended As The Second Highest Wicket-Taker In A Test Series

Pakistan had arrived in India for a five-Test series, which proved to be the legendary Sunil Gavaskar’s last, and agreed to play a 40-overs a side game at the CCI. The visitors requested a couple of substitutes from the opposition camp after two of their prominent picks – Javed Miandad and Abdul Qadir – went back to the team hotel.

Thus, a 13-year-old Tendulkar, as well as another substitute player Khushru Vasania, got the chance to step on the field for Pakistan and experienced what it feels like at the international arena.

Weird facts: Sachin Tendulkar played for Pakistan before his India debut

“Some of the Pakistan players were going to the team hotel to rest. Imran came to Hemant Kenkre (CCI captain) and said that he was short of players and if he could get three-four players to field. Two youngsters were in the vicinity – Khushru Vasania and Sachin Tendulkar,” recalled Tendulkar’s childhood friend, Marcus Couto, in a piece by DNA India.

“Sachin saw Hemant and asked in Marathi ‘Me Zaaoo Ka?’ (‘Can I go’). Before Hemant could nod his head, Sachin was already in the field as a substitute for Pakistan. It was towards the end of the match and Sachin was on the field for about 25 minutes.”

Placed as a boundary rider by Pakistan captain Imran Khan, the short-statured Sachin Tendulkar saw quite a few balls sail over his head and travel to the first tier of the CCI. Reflective of his attitude towards the game from a very young age, Tendulkar felt disappointed that he couldn’t grab a catch or two even if it was for the Pakistan team. He was especially angst at not being able to hold on to a skier that came his way.

“After the match, we were returning home by local train and Sachin said to me that he was disappointed at being asked to field at the boundary line. He asked if one of those big hits was a catch and I said it was very tough as it was sailing to the first floor. With all his kit bag, he got down at Dadar,” Couto said.

Bharat Arun, India’s contemporary bowling coach, who turned up for the Indians in that exhibition game, remembers Sachin Tendulkar as a talented and excited youngster coming in as the second substitute after Khushru.

“To be honest, we did not know that one of the boys was Sachin Tendulkar. But we were told later on that he’s Sachin and that he was very talented,” he said.

In his very first opportunity on the field, Tendulkar made a genuine impression on the top players around him and took his first stride towards unmatched stardom.