Cricketing legend and ‘God of Cricket’ Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar floored the audience with his finely-spelt Tamil pronunciation at a function held in Mumbai yesterday to mark the launch of popular media anchor Rajdeep Sardesai’s book titled as Democracy XI – The Great Indian Cricket Story at a popular star-hotel in the western Metropolis.

Video of Sachin uttering Tamil words such as ‘Munnadi’ (on the front) and ‘Pinnadi’ (on the back) has gone viral on social networking sites. Rajdeep has chronicled how cricket, the ‘unofficial’ national game of the country, has integrated and brought about an unimaginable unity across the country which has people of various religious beliefs. The book was launched in Mumbai yesterday.

Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar, Muhammad Azharudeen and Sachin were among the cricketers who attended the event. Speaking on the occasion, Sachin was at his oratorical best while sharing his experiences in international cricket. “When I was playing Tamil Nadu in Mumbai, there was more than usual swing for the bowlers on the pitch. I stood outside my crease to negate the effects of the swing.

“The wicketkeeper then hinted to the bowlers to bowl short of good length by saying ‘munnadi’ which I understood. I also learnt quite a few words like ‘Munnadi’ and ‘Pinnadi’. I can follow Tamil to some extent thanks to the many Tamil cricketers I have played alongside in my long career,” Sachin Tendulkar concluded, wishing Sardesai good luck on the occasion of the release of his book.