Editing Sachin Tendulkar (section)

== Early life and background ==
Tendulkar was born at the Nirmal Nursing Home in the [[Dadar]] neighbourhood of [[Bombay, Maharashtra]] on 24 April 1973<ref name="CricinfoProfile" /><ref>{{cite news|last=Abraham |first=Derek |date=24 April 2013 |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/sports/report-sachin-tendulkar-the-multi-million-dollar-baby-1826338 |title=Sachin Tendulkar: The multi-million dollar baby |newspaper=[[Daily News and Analysis]] |access-date=11 May 2019}}</ref> into a [[Maharashtrian people|Maharastrian]] family.<ref>{{cite news |title=I am proud to be a Maharashtrian – Sachin Tendulkar |url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/proud-34-maharashtrian-tendulkar-says-mumbai-belongs-to-india-574.html |access-date=8 November 2023 |work=India TV News |date=13 November 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190427154407/https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/proud-34-maharashtrian-tendulkar-says-mumbai-belongs-to-india-574.html |archive-date=27 April 2019}}</ref> His father, [[Ramesh Tendulkar]], was a [[Marathi language|Marathi-language]] novelist and poet while his mother, Rajni, worked in the insurance industry.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Thani |first1=L. |last2=Mishra |first2=R. |title=Sensational Sachin |publisher=Diamond Pocket Books |year=1999 |page=113 |quote=His mother Rajni Tendulkar worked in L.I.C.|isbn=81-288-2573-9}}</ref> Tendulkar's father named him after his favourite music director, [[Sachin Dev Burman]].<ref>{{cite magazine |date=24 April 2019 |title=Happy Birthday Sachin Tendulkar: Master Blaster turns 46 |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/story/sachin-tendulkar-birthday-turns-46-1508795-2019-04-24 |magazine=[[India Today]] |access-date=11 May 2019}}</ref> Tendulkar has three older siblings: two half-brothers Nitin and Ajit, and a half-sister Savita. They were his father's children by his first wife, who died after the birth of her third child.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thequint.com/sports/ajit-dotes-on-sachin-tendulkar-half-brothers-billion-dreams|title=Ajit Dotes on Sachin, Who Could've Guessed They're Half-Brothers!|work=The Quint|access-date=2 September 2018|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://newsable.asianetnews.com/sports/this-man-sacrificed-his-cricket-career-for-sachin-tendulkar-and-he-is-not-his-own-brother|title=This man sacrificed his cricket, career for Sachin Tendulkar|website=Asianet Newsable}}</ref> His brother Ajit played in Bombay's [[Kanga Cricket League]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Pandey|first=Kirti Phadtare|date=25 May 2017|title=Ajit Dotes on Sachin, Who Could've Guessed They're Half-Brothers!|url=https://www.thequint.com/sports/ajit-dotes-on-sachin-tendulkar-half-brothers-billion-dreams|access-date=24 December 2021|website=TheQuint|language=en}}</ref>

Tendulkar spent his formative years in the Sahitya Sahawas Cooperative Housing Society in [[Bandra|Bandra (East)]]. As a young boy, Tendulkar was considered a [[Bullying|bully]], and he often picked fights with new children in his school.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sports.in.msn.com/cricket/sachincorner/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5132762&page=3 |title=38 special facts about Sachin Tendulkar – 3 |publisher=MSN |date=16 March 2012 |access-date=18 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606052152/http://sports.in.msn.com/cricket/sachincorner/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5132762&page=3 |archive-date=6 June 2013 }}</ref>

As a child, Tendulkar was interested in both [[tennis]] and cricket.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Did you know Sachin Tendulkar is a big promoter of these sports? |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/sports/did-you-know-sachin-tendulkar-is-a-big-promoter-of-these-sports/sachin-tendulkar-turns-50/slideshow/99710767.cms |work=The Economic Times |date=23 April 2023 |access-date=3 February 2024}}</ref> He particularly idolised American player [[John McEnroe]], and emulated his hero by growing his hair long at the age of 7 or 8 years. At this time, Tendulkar also regularly wore tennis wristbands and headbands and carried a [[tennis racquet]] with him as a sign of his love for tennis.<ref name="jansatta.com">{{cite web|title='कांबली बहुत गुस्सैल है,' सचिन ने KBC में अमिताभ को सुनाई थी दोस्त की कहानी; देखें Video|url=https://www.jansatta.com/khel/sachin-tendulkar-comments-about-vinod-kambli-on-kbc-that-surprised-amitabh-bachchan-throwback-story-watch-video/1825379/|access-date=24 December 2021|website=Jansatta|date=16 September 2021 |language=hi}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://sports.in.msn.com/cricket/sachincorner/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5132762&page=2 |title=38 special facts about Sachin Tendulkar – 2 |publisher=MSN |date=16 March 2012 |access-date=18 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606051853/http://sports.in.msn.com/cricket/sachincorner/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5132762&page=2 |archive-date=6 June 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Throwback to Sachin Tendulkar's Comments About Vinod Kambli on KBC That Surprised Amitabh Bachchan – News18 |url=https://www.news18.com/cricketnext/news/throwback-to-sachin-tendulkars-comments-about-vinod-kambli-on-kbc-that-surprised-amitabh-bachchan-4207604.html |work=News18 |date=16 September 2021 |access-date=3 February 2024}}</ref>

To help curb his bullying tendencies, his elder brother Ajit introduced Tendulkar to cricket in 1984. Ajit introduced him to cricket coach [[Ramakant Achrekar]] at [[Shivaji Park]] in Dadar. At their first meeting, Tendulkar did not play well. Ajit told Achrekar that he was feeling self-conscious due to the coach observing him, and was not displaying his natural game. Ajit requested the coach to give him another chance at playing, but watch while hiding behind a tree. This time, Tendulkar, apparently unobserved, played much better and was accepted at Achrekar's academy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.in.com/sports/cricket/reminiscing-old-days-sachin-tendulkar-on-late-coach-ramakant-achrekar-278431.htm|title=Reminiscing old days: Sachin Tendulkar on late coach Ramakant Achrekar|website=in.com}}{{dead link|date=April 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>{{Better source needed example|reason=Dead link|date=November 2021}}

Achrekar was impressed with Tendulkar's talent and advised him to shift his schooling to Sharadashram Vidyamandir School,<ref name="CricinfoProfile" /> a school in Dadar that had produced many notable cricketers. He made his debut as a cricketer for Sharadashram in late 1984.<ref name="sachinyouth" /> Prior to this, Tendulkar had attended the Indian Education Society's New English School in Bandra (East).<ref name="sachinyouth" /> He was also coached under the guidance of Achrekar at Shivaji Park in the mornings and evenings.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Shivaji-Park-prays-for-famous-son/articleshow/7845518.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501025804/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-04-02/mumbai/29374217_1_shivaji-park-ramakant-achrekar-sunil-gavaskar |archive-date=1 May 2013 |title=Shivaji Park prays for famous son |date=1 April 2011|newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |agency=[[Times News Network]] |first=Linah |url-status=live |last=Baliga}}</ref> Tendulkar would practice for hours; if he became exhausted, Achrekar would put a [[Indian 1-rupee coin|one-rupee coin]] on the top of the [[stumps]], and the [[Bowling (cricket)|bowler]] who dismissed Tendulkar would get the coin. If Tendulkar completed the session without getting dismissed, the coach would give him the coin. Tendulkar considers the 13 coins he won among his most prized possessions.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Sachin Tendulkar: The last word in cricket|author=Somak Sen|work=Merinews|date=17 October 2008|url=http://www.merinews.com/catFull.jsp?articleID=145044|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130129012958/http://www.merinews.com/catFull.jsp?articleID=145044|archive-date=29 January 2013|access-date=3 June 2009}}</ref> While he was training at Shivaji Park, he moved in with his aunt and uncle, who lived near the park.<ref name="sachinyouth">{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/specials/sachin/gulu1.htm |title=HTCricket.com: A special HTCricket section celebrating Sachin Tendulkar's 100th Test |work=[[Hindustan Times]] |access-date=18 December 2012|author=Gulu Ezekiel|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025205343/http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/specials/sachin/gulu1.htm |archive-date=25 October 2012}}</ref>

Besides school cricket, Tendulkar also played [[club cricket]]. In 1984, at age 11, he debuted in the [[Kanga Cricket League]] while playing for the John Bright Cricket Club.<ref name="sachinyouth" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Shetty |first=Disha |date=12 July 2018 |title=The fading charm of the Kanga League |url=https://www.wisdenindia.com/cricket-article/fading-charm-kanga-league/125658 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180712214643/https://www.wisdenindia.com/cricket-article/fading-charm-kanga-league/125658 |archive-date=12 July 2018 |website=Wisden India}}</ref> Beginning in 1988, he played for the [[Cricket Club of India]].<ref name=":2" /><ref name="ti99">{{cite news|title=Tendulkar's genius inspires awe |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/cricket-tendulkars-genius-inspires-awe-1093765.html |access-date=17 February 2012 |newspaper=[[The Independent]] |date=15 May 1999 |first=Richard |last=Williams |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120321055752/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/cricket-tendulkars-genius-inspires-awe-1093765.html |archive-date=21 March 2012 }}</ref>

In 1987, at the age of 14, he attended the [[MRF Pace Foundation]] in Madras (now [[Chennai]]) to train as a [[fast bowler]], but the trainer, Australian fast bowler [[Dennis Lillee]], was unimpressed and suggested that Tendulkar focus on his batting instead.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/res/web/pIe/ie/daily/19990811/isp01099.html |title=Tendulkar's interview with BBC |work=[[The Indian Express]] |access-date=1 June 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090317190126/http://www.indianexpress.com/res/web/pIe/ie/daily/19990811/isp01099.html |archive-date=17 March 2009 }}</ref> On 20 January 1987, he was a [[Substitute (cricket)|substitute]] for [[Imran Khan]]'s side in an exhibition match at [[Brabourne Stadium]] in Bombay.<ref>{{cite news|title=When 13-year-old Sachin Tendulkar fielded for Pakistan team |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/sport/report-when-13-year-old-sachin-tendulkar-fielded-for-pakistan-team-1910959 |access-date=30 October 2013 |newspaper=DNA |date=30 October 2013 |first=G |last=Krishnan |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030190353/http://www.dnaindia.com/sport/report-when-13-year-old-sachin-tendulkar-fielded-for-pakistan-team-1910959 |archive-date=30 October 2013 }}</ref> A couple of months later, former Indian batsman [[Sunil Gavaskar]] gave Tendulkar a pair of his own lightweight [[pads]] and told him to not get disheartened for not receiving the [[Mumbai Cricket Association|Bombay Cricket Association]]'s Best Junior Cricketer Award. Of this experience, Tendulkar later said, "It was the greatest source of encouragement for me".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/sport/1904408/comment-sachin-tendulkar-and-sunil-gavaskar-two-masters-and-the-amazing-chemistry-between-the-two |title=Sachin Tendulkar and Sunil Gavaskar: Two masters and the amazing chemistry between the two |newspaper=DNA India |access-date=16 October 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017104300/http://www.dnaindia.com/sport/1904408/comment-sachin-tendulkar-and-sunil-gavaskar-two-masters-and-the-amazing-chemistry-between-the-two |archive-date=17 October 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Booth |first=Lawrence |date=12 April 2007 |title=Strange innovations |work=ESPNcricinfo |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdencricketer/content/story/290027.html |url-status=live |access-date=3 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091217180010/http://www.cricinfo.com/wisdencricketer/content/story/290027.html |archive-date=17 December 2009}}</ref> Tendulkar served as a [[ball boy]] in the [[1987 Cricket World Cup]] when [[India national cricket team|India]] played against [[England cricket team|England]] in the semifinal in Bombay.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sachin Tendulkar: From ball boy to champ |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/sachin-tendulkar-from-ball-boy-to-champ/articleshow/7839697.cms |access-date=17 February 2012 |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |date=1 April 2011 |first=Nitin |last=Naik |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709232759/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/Sachin-Tendulkar-From-ball-boy-to-champ/articleshow/7839697.cms |archive-date=9 July 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Ballboy to badshah, Sachin's Cup story- Sachin Tendulkar in a one-on-one with Lokendra Pratap sahi |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110219/jsp/sports/story_13604904.jsp |access-date=17 February 2012 |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=15 May 1999 |first=Richard |last=Williams |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110224071802/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110219/jsp/sports/story_13604904.jsp |archive-date=24 February 2011 }}</ref>

In 1988, while playing for Sharadashram, Tendulkar and [[Vinod Kambli]] batted in an unbroken 664-run [[partnership (cricket)|partnership]] in a Lord Harris Shield inter-school game against St. Xavier's High School. Tendulkar scored 326 ([[not out]]) in that match and scored over 1,000 runs in the tournament.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bhatia |first=Rahul |date=21 August 2004 |title=A tale of two terrors |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/a-tale-of-two-terrors-135328 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223182616/http://www.espncricinfo.com/columns/content/story/135328.html |archive-date=23 February 2012 |access-date=1 June 2008 |work=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> This was a record partnership in any form of cricket until 2006, when it was broken by two junior cricketers in [[Hyderabad, India]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Teenagers eclipse Tendulkar-Kambli record |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/india/content/story/268484.html |access-date=18 December 2013 |date=16 November 2006 |author=ESPNcricinfo staff |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140312174419/http://www.espncricinfo.com/india/content/story/268484.html |archive-date=12 March 2014 }}</ref>