“ Mein kheloonga ” (I will play), were two words that changed the fate of Sachin Tendulkar — it is not talent or attitude but the ability to fight that makes him a champion, according to Prakash Iyer, MD of Kimberly Clark Lever. Iyer is the author of two books on leadership — The Habit of Winning and The secret of Leadership .

When the going is tough, think of the Little Master who, despite his injury, went on to play at a young age, Iyer told the audience at the TiECON 2013 award function to honour successful entrepreneurs from Tamil Nadu.

In the 4th Test match between India and Pakistan at Sialkot in 1989, India was four wickets down with 38 runs on board. Tendulkar, then 16, joined Navjot Singh Sidhu to face the Pakistan pace duo Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis. A nasty short pitch delivery from Younis left Tendulkar’s nose bleeding.

Quoting Sidhu, Iyer said it was a pretty bad sight. Sidhu and the team’s physiotherapist suggested Tendulkar retire hurt and come back later. However, all that the Little Master said was: “ Mein kheloonga .” He went on to score 57 valuable runs for the team. Tendulkar’s story is about the will to fight under pressure during adversity, said Iyer to the audience, which included a number of start-up entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs need to be patient to achieve success, he said. The Chinese bamboo tree takes five years and three months to grow to 80 ft. Over the first five years, a small sapling comes out and a complex root structure is formed. However, in the last three months, the sapling grows quickly to become a tall tree. Winners recognise that being patient has rewards, Iyer pointed out.

>raja.simhan@thehindu.co.in

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