Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Sanju Samson: When Sachin Tendulkar stepped in to help Indian stars

Sachin Tendulkar is widely regarded as one of the greatest cricketers in the history of the game. He is often referred to as 'God of Cricket' in India, and is respected across spectrums. Over the years, the legendary batter has quietly helped many Indian players during their difficult phases by offering advice and guidance.

After India’s triumph in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, Player of the Tournament Sanju Samson revealed how Tendulkar supported him during a tough period in the tournament. Samson said he stayed in constant touch with the cricket icon after he was brought back into the playing XI for the knockout matches.

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Initially, Samson was not part of the playing XI plans, but had to be brought back mid-tournament after Abhishek Sharma failed to provide the starts that were needed from him. Samson replaced Rinku Singh in the lineup and didn't look back from there on. He single-handedly won the virtual quarterfinal against the West Indies, and then played two vital knocks in the semifinal and final.

Over the years, several other Indian cricketers have also spoken about how Tendulkar helped them overcome rough patches in their careers.

Virat Kohli

One of the most famous examples is former India captain Virat Kohli. During India’s tour of England in 2014, Kohli struggled badly and approached Tendulkar to talk after returning home. Kohli later revealed this in an interview. And we all know what kind of player Kohli went on to become from there on.

Yuvraj Singh

Before the 2011 Cricket World Cup, Yuvraj Singh was also going through a challenging phase. The all-rounder struggled with form and consistency and spoke to Tendulkar about his concerns. He went on to play a crucial role in India’s World Cup victory and was named Player of the Tournament.

Shubman Gill

India's current Test captain has also benefited from Tendulkar’s advice. Before India’s tour of England in 2025, Shubman Gill spoke to Tendulkar about how to succeed in English conditions. He went on to become the top run-scorer in his debut series as captain and helped India draw the contest.

Harmanpreet Kaur

Tendulkar has also supported players from the women’s team. Harmanpreet Kaur led India to a historic ODI World Cup title last year after beating South Africa in the final at Navi Mumbai. During the tournament, she also received guidance from the legendary batter.

Shafali Verma

Young opener Shafali Verma, who was part of the Women's World Cup-winning team, also spoke about the confidence she gained after seeing Tendulkar before a major final. She was called in as a replacement for the knockouts after India lost Pratika Rawal to an injury, and delivered when it mattered the most.