Sachin Tendulkar vs Vinod Kambli

In the ongoing cricket series, India vs England, Yashasvi Jaiswal stood out with his extraordinary performance. He hit two double centuries and was a key player who turned the match and the series around. But he was not the only one who has scored two double centuries on his debut. The name that popped from the record books was Vinod Kambli. In fact, Vinod Kambli was much younger than Jaiswal when he achieved this feast. Vinod was 3rd youngest player to score two double hundred (21 years and 32 days). Jaiswal was 22 years and 36 days when he achieved this feast. First is, Javed Miandad from Pakistan (19years and 140 days). Kambli was also 4th fastest to score 1000 runs in test cricket. His test batting average is 54.2, still one of the best, in his short 17 test career.

Vinod Kambli and Sachin Tendulkar were friends and scored a record 664-run partnership in a school match. That is where the comparison starts between the two players. Kambli started his Test career three years after Tendulkar, but unlike Sachin, it was a dream start. In his first seven Tests he racked up two double-centuries and two single ones. He was left-handed (rare in India), and could play spinners really well. Once he scored 22 runs off Shane Warne in one over. He is still the youngest Indian player to score a hundred in one-day format. He was exactly 21 years and scored hundred on his birthday and also became first cricketer to score a hundred on his birthday.

On the other hand, Sachin struggled in his initial days. His first ODI hundred came after five years of his debut. Everyone remembers, Waqar’s ball injuring the young Tendulkar but he continued to bat with just a band-aid and scored a fighting 50. In many of his interviews, Sachin admitted he had difficulty in playing fast bowlers. In fact, most of the Indian batsmen had difficulty in facing quick bowlers as India produced few real quick bowlers and they faced them only when playing international matches. BCCI had to order machines which could throw ball really quick to practice.

Its not to say Sachin was any less talented, but the question that comes to our mind is, two gifted players Sachin and Vinod, one went on to score 100 hundreds and setting many milestones and the other failed even after having a dream start. One will rule the hearts and minds of Indian cricket fans for ages and other is just lost and forgotten. There is also a lesson to all new comers who get a great start. It is also a lesson to all of us not to take their success for granted.

The era in which Sachin and Vinod played cricket was full of world class bowlers. Australia had Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie, Shane Warne and Bret Lee. South Africa had Allan Donald, Shaun Pollock and Makhaya Ntini. England has James Anderson who is still playing. New Zealand had Daniel Vettori. Pakistan had Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Shoeb Akhtar, Imran Khan and?Saqlain Mushtaq. Sri Lanka had Chaminda Vaas and Muttiah Muralitharan. He faced Curtly Ambrose from West Indies. This are only to name a few. This was an era filled with dangerous bowlers from all over the world. India had some great batsman but still due to formidable attack, it was always difficult to score consistent runs. Someone who worked hard on his game consistently, improve develop and learn to face wide variety of bowlers could only sustain in this era. Hard work and continuous improvement were the key and Sachin scored much better on this account.

You would rarely hear any rumours about Sachin. Imagine, any struggling model or actress would come to instant limelight, would be flooded with work if he got even a snap with him. Imagine the distractions Sachin would have had but he focused on his game. He lived money and glamour. He stayed away from all those distractions. He knew he would be admired and adored as long as he scores runs for India. He was India’s backbone. Sachin being out is half a job done for the opponents. The entire team, coach and administrators from the opponents would be planning to get him out. But he stood tall and strong, scoring consistent runs.

On the other hand, opponents found weakness with Kambli. He often got himself into a tangle against the short ball, and his flash to gully soon became a trademark. Kambli's problems were compounded by indiscipline and distractions. He was not ready to change too. He made as many as nine comebacks but played his last match before he turned 24. Kambli too was facing a formidable attack, bowlers who were consistently improving and learning and he lost his momentum.? Both Vinod Kambli and Sachin Tendulkar were gifted but Kambli was not able to utilize his potential to the fullest.

Kapil Dev once said, ‘Sachin Tendulkar is example of talent plus hard work, if you are talented but not hard-working, you can go Vinod Kambli way.

There are many players in Indian cricket who rose and disappeared. Cricket is a game in India in which couple of good performances and you are immediately in limelight. It is difficult to handle that kind of success, glamour and attention. Media is after you to improve their TRP. You get advertisement, publicity, public attention and 'much' more. It’s now catching up in other sports. Olympic Gold Medallist Neeraj Chopra attracted limelight but he handled it very well.

Youngsters who are tasting success need to be aware and not get complacent and easy. They need to work hard, develop and grow, improve to sustain success. Young cricketers who are tasting success need to be aware and be careful. Dravid and Rohit are giving many young talents a chance and Indian cricket has a bright future. But competition is extremely high. There are only eleven who can play for the country. Some poor performance and its difficult to come back. Opponents will find some weakness and exploit it.

It is a lesson true in every field. It is true for corporates. It is true for employees. If employees don’t improve their skills in modern VUCA world, their skills would become redundant. If corporates don’t innovate, develop and grow, they would lose market shares. There are many companies who were market leaders at one time but lost it due to stagnancy or their inability to bring about the change. You can share those companies who lost their market share with the readers in the comment box.

We need to adopt growth mindset, learn, develop and grow consistently.

Thank you for reading.

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