Legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar was honored with the BCCI’s COL C.K. Naidu Lifetime Achievement Award for his remarkable contribution to Indian cricket.

Speaking at the Naman Awards, he expressed his gratitude to BCCI and said he felt humbled to be among the awardees. ICC Chairman Jay Shah gave the prestigous life-time achievement award to Sachin Tendulkar.

Sachin Tendulkar shared several key moments from his cricketing journey. Recalling his early days, he mentioned being late for the team bus in 1989, which led Kapil Dev to remind him about punctuality. Since then, he always set his watch 7-8 minutes ahead to ensure he was never late again.

Touring different countries gave him exposure to various languages and cultures. He particularly remembered the intense rivalry with Shane Warne during Australia's 1998 tour of India. However, he reminded the media that it was India vs Australia, not Tendulkar vs Warne, emphasizing the importance of team spirit over individual battles.

One of the most emotional moments of his career came during the 1999 World Cup when he lost his father. After attending the funeral, he returned to play and from that moment, he dedicated his signature bat-raising celebration to his late father, ensuring that he remained a part of every success.

In the mid-90s, Tendulkar refused lucrative bat sponsorship deals because they involved alcohol and tobacco brands. He chose to uphold his personal and family values, prioritizing integrity over financial gain.

Tendulkar also faced significant injury struggles, including a severe back issue that nearly led to surgery in Australia. However, at the last moment, his doctor advised against it.

He compared his career to a Formula 1 car, always needing a strong support system to keep him going. He credited his doctor at home for guiding him through recovery, reminding him that it was just a bend, not the end.

On the day of his retirement, Tendulkar was overwhelmed with emotions. He recalled MS Dhoni asking him to step away as the team planned a surprise for him.

When they gave him a guard of honor, the reality of never being a current Indian player again truly sank in. He expressed gratitude for having had the opportunity to represent India at the highest level.

Tendulkar concluded by emphasizing the impact of cricket on his life and that of others. He stated that without the sport, none of them would be in that room, highlighting the deep significance of cricket in shaping careers and lives.