'God of Cricket' - a lesson on Sachin Tendulkar for Maharashtra school kids

Children wearing Sachin Tendulkar masks with his poster

The students of class IV in Maharashtra will now have a chapter named ‘God of cricket’ as the state government has decided to add a chapter on Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar in their school syllabus. The chapter on the ‘master blaster’ will be part of their curriculum from this academic year. Maharashtra School Education Minister Rajendra Darda told PTI that an unit on Tendulkar has been included in Marathi and English textbooks.

The students already have lessons on former cricketers Chandrakant Gulabrao "Chandu" Borde and Sunil Gavaskar as a part of their curriculum. Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena has claimed that the chapter on Tendulkar was included only because of their efforts to ensure it happens.

"The government was considering adding Tendulkar in school syllabus so that children are inspired by him," said Darda.

"The Balbharati subject committee discussed at which standards the chapter should be included. Sachin retired at the age of 40 after an illustrious career of 24 years. He will go down in cricketing history as the king of 22 yards," Darda said.

"Sachin stood out for his passion to play for the country and his humility. His farewell speech at Wankhede Stadium showed us that like a big cricketer, he is also a large- hearted human being. The young generation could learn patriotism and commitment from him. The master blaster has never been involved in any controversy," the minister said.

It has to be noted that only recently a lesson on Rahul Dravid was included in Karnataka.