Sachin Tendulkar is celebrated as one of the greatest batsmen in cricket history. Known as the Master Blaster, he played 200 Tests and 463 ODIs for India, setting world records for runs (15,921 in Tests and 18,426 in ODIs) and centuries (51 in Tests and 49 in ODIs).

Throughout his career, Tendulkar carried the weight of national expectations and significantly contributed to India’s cricketing success, including the 2011 World Cup victory. Even a decade after his international retirement, he continues to impact the game at the grassroots level.

As a prominent figure in the Indian Street Premier League (ISPL), Tendulkar has introduced reverse swing to the tennis-ball format to enhance the competitive edge and challenge players technically. The second edition of the ISPL, featuring six teams, will take place from January 26 to February 9, 2025, at the Dadoji Kondadev Stadium in Thane.

Tendulkar noted, “If we give some advantage to the batsmen, then the bowlers also need to be engaged.” He explained how he used to apply tape to one side of the ball during his playing days to practice reverse swing, and he believes implementing this in the ISPL will test batters’ techniques.

Previously, ISPL bowlers were unfamiliar with using taped balls for reverse swing, but Tendulkar addressed this by conducting workshops with coaches. He emphasized focusing on the ball’s release point and adjusting to the changing dynamics of reverse swing.