Truly a pickled piece of the past!

Rajdeep Sardesai shared this video on X (formerly, Twitter): https://x.com/sardesairajdeep/status/1878710051218903289?s=48. Circa 1990 of a 17-year old Sachin Tendulkar who was then being hailed as the next Gavaskar. To have so many cameras and spotlight and expectations thrust on you from the age of 16, and still be very grounded, is an amazing thing. I remember writing in my diary during my school days that I wanted to be like him - never let things get to my head. 

And so many wonderful childhood memories and stalwarts mentioned in that one single video - Ramakant Achrekar, Madhav Apte, Madhav Mantri, the Sassanian Club, the Anjuman Islam team, school cricket, the Harris Shield...! One thing led to the other, and soon I was reminiscing about the '90s - the legendary tournament called the Kanga League played in Bombay in the monsoon. It was absolutely crazy and unique, and I always looked forward to reading about it in Mid-Day! It was a time when everyone followed the Ranji, Irani and Duleep Trophies and not the exhausting charade of celebrities and money that is the IPL.