“Abhi toh ICC kuch nahi kar sakti” - When Sachin Tendulkar & VVS Laxman hilariously trolled ‘favorite umpire’

Former India cricketers Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman once hilariously trolled an anonymous umpire, who Laxman believed was Tendulkar's 'favorite.' Talking at the launch of his autobiography '281 and Beyond' in 2018, Laxman recalled India's tour of Australia in 2003-04.

Speaking about Sachin Tendulkar's famous innings of 241* against Australia in the fourth Test in Sydney, Laxman said he was in the best seat, batting alongside Tendulkar.

Laxman said Sachin displayed unbelievable control when he was going through a rough patch. He also cheekily mentioned how Tendulkar's 'favorite umpire' adjudged him LBW during the Brisbane Test.

"He (Sachin) was getting out in a very freak manner. Melbourne, down the leg off Brett Lee. At Brisbane, his favorite umpire gives him LBW," Laxman said.

Sachin Tendulkar interrupted and asked Laxman to name the umpire. When Laxman said he could not take the name, Tendulkar jokingly said the International Cricket Council (ICC) could not do anything now, given both players had retired.

"Nobody knows my favourite umpire. Please take his name. Abhi toh ICC kuch nahin kar sakti (now the ICC cannot do anything), it's fine," Tendulkar said.

Both the players shared a laugh after Sachin replied to Laxman's comment.

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"It was just an unbelievable exhibition of controlling your instinct" - When VVS Laxman hailed Sachin Tendulkar for his 241* against Australia

Further talking about Sachin Tendulkar's 241* against Australia in the first innings of the Sydney Test in 2004, Laxman lauded the former Indian batter for his incredible display. During the same discussion, Laxman said:

"It was just unbelievable exhibition of controlling your instinct. Especially when someone is not going through a good patch. He was getting out in a very freak manner. We reached Sydney and he decides that he is not going to play the cover drive. As you start middling the ball, you forget about the game plan and just react to the ball which is coming your way."

"But during that entire double hundred inning, not even once, even when Simon Katich was bowling, was a part timer, not even one shot went through the cover region. I give that example to a lot of youngsters," he added.

He further praised Sachin Tendulkar for showing immense control over his instincts.

"Not everyone can achieve that. Because to have that control over his instincts, even after you get a hundred, even after you get a double hundred, because when you reach a milestone, you get carried away, you get satisfied. But that day he didn't get satisfied at all. It was a great exhibition of great determination and control over instincts," Laxman added.