Sachin Tendulkar - The Greatest Cricketer

Ever
Contents
1. Beliefs ................................................................................................................................................ 3
2. Business interests ............................................................................................................................. 3
 1. Beliefs
Tendulkar is a practising Hindu. He is a devotee of the deity Ganesha and was a disciple of the guru
Sathya Sai Baba of Puttaparthi, whom he visited on several occasions.[350][351][352] In 1997, Tendulkar
captained the Indian National side, playing against a World Eleven team, in the Unity Cup which was
held at the Sri Sathya Sai Hill View Stadium in Puttaparthi, in Baba's presence.[353][354] The death of Sai
Baba on Tendulkar's 38th birthday caused him to cancel his celebrations.[355][356] The cricketer is also
known to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi at home and frequently visits temples during night when it is calm
and quiet.[357][358]

2. Business interests
Tendulkar's popularity has led him to be a pioneer in India on cricket business dealings when he signed a
record sports management deal with WorldTel in 1995, the value of the deal being ₹30 crore (US$4.2
million) over five years.[359][360] His next contract with WorldTel in 2001 was valued at ₹80 crore
(US$11 million) over five years.[361] In 2006, he signed a contract with Saatchi and Saatchi's ICONIX
valued at ₹180 crore (US$25 million) over three years.[362]

Tendulkar has opened two restaurants: Tendulkar's[363] (Colaba, Mumbai) and Sachin's[364] (Mulund,
Mumbai) and Bangalore. Tendulkar owns these restaurants in partnership with Sanjay Narang of Mars
Restaurants.[citation needed]

Tendulkar co-owns the Kochi ISL team in the Indian Super League Football in association with PVP
Ventures owned by Prasad V Potluri. The team has been named as Kerala Blasters after his nickname
"Master Blaster".[365][366][367] He also jointly owns the badminton team Bengaluru Blasters which
participates in the Premier Badminton League.[368]

In 2013, Tendulkar was listed at 51st position in Forbes' list of world's highest-paid athletes, with his
total earnings estimated to be US$22 million.[369] In October 2013, the net worth of Tendulkar was
estimated at US$160 million by Wealth-X, making him India's wealthiest cricket player.[370][371]