Sachin Tendulkar turns 47: Azharuddin dismisses media hype of 'rift' with batting legend

Sachin Tendulkar and Mohammad Azharuddin were two of Indian cricket's most pivotal figures in 1990s. While Mohammad Azharuddin served as India's long-term leader for most of 90s decade, Sachin Tendulkar served as team's world class batsman, who could take any opposition to cleaners. In 1998, reports had emerged of an 'apparent rift' between Sachin Tendulkar and Mohammad Azharuddin.

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Mohammad Azharuddin clarifies that re were problems with Sachin Tendulkar

On April 24, 1998, Sachin Tendulkar celebrated his 25th birthday by getting an unlikely win for Team India against a very strong Australian team at Sharjah. Tendulkar had scored his 143 during infamous 'Desert Storm' only two days before match to guarantee India a qualification to final. In final, Tendulkar made 134 and helped India win match and Coca-Cola Cup at Sharjah Stadium famously.

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backstory behind this match was that re was reported animosity between Sachin Tendulkar and Mohammad Azharuddin as it was Tendulkar who had replaced Azharuddin as captain from 1996-1997 and second half of 1999. After poor performances under Tendulkar before 1998, team was put back under control of Azharuddin, who was able to turn things around.

In an article by Cricbuzz, Mohammad Azharuddin revealed re was animosity between Sachin Tendulkar and him and it was all 'media hype'. Azharuddin said that he understood how media could be tempted to write about something between two seniors but re really was t anything to it. former captain also credited Tendulkar for being one of his best players and for taking India across line on many occasions.

Azharuddin also reflected on how team wanted to make a statement by winning a tournament at Sharjah and 1998 Coca Cola Cup victory allowed m to do so against strong teams like Australia and New Zealand.

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Sachin Tendulkar records and Sachin Tendulkar birthday

Many Sachin Tendulkar records are eugh to justify batsman's legacy as he has scored more than 34,000 international runs and 100 international hundreds. two Sharjah kcks were clearly Sachin Tendulkar birthday specials, as cricketer turned 47 on Friday. A disciple of Little Master and biggest competition to many Sachin Tendulkar records, Virat Kohli took to Twitter to wish Little Master during India lockdown.

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