Steve Waugh’s Tendulkar Comparison Brings Back Ajinkya Rahane’s Childhood Memories
Former Australia captain Steve Waugh has drawn an intriguing technical parallel between Ajinkya Rahane and Sachin Tendulkar, prompting the former India batter to explain just how deeply the Mumbai legend influenced his approach to batting.
During a conversation on Rahane’s podcast, Waugh said that when he watched Rahane play, elements of his technique reminded him of Tendulkar. He specifically pointed to Rahane’s compact backlift, straight technique, balance and composure at the crease.
The discussion also produced a light-hearted moment when Waugh asked Rahane whether his similarities with Tendulkar had extended to his earnings.
“Did you make as much money as Sachin?” Waugh asked.
Rahane replied: “I’ll probably make it now.”
Why Steve Waugh Saw Tendulkar in Rahane
Waugh’s comparison was based on batting mechanics rather than career statistics.
He asked Rahane whether he had deliberately modelled his game on Tendulkar, pointing to the former India batter’s small backlift and compact, straight technique. Waugh also highlighted Rahane’s balance and composed presence at the crease.
For Rahane, the Tendulkar influence was hardly accidental.
Growing up in Mumbai, he watched Tendulkar bat at the Wankhede Stadium and later tried to reproduce aspects of his technique while playing with friends.
Rahane recalled copying Tendulkar’s backlift, keeping his hands close to his body and attempting to recreate his famous straight drive.
From Watching Tendulkar to Sharing a Dressing Room
What began as childhood imitation eventually became a professional association.
Rahane progressed through Mumbai cricket and went on to play alongside Tendulkar at first-class level. He later shared the Indian dressing room with the batting great at international level—turning the player he had once tried to imitate into a teammate.
That progression adds context to Waugh’s observation. Rahane was not simply another Mumbai batter who emerged after Tendulkar; by his own account, specific elements of Tendulkar’s technique had influenced the way he learned to bat.
Rahane Built His Own Test Identity
Despite Tendulkar’s influence, Rahane’s international career developed its own identity.
Rahane finished with 5,077 runs from 85 Tests, including 12 centuries and 26 half-centuries, with a highest score of 188. He was particularly valued for important performances away from home and his role in India’s middle order.
His leadership record also became an important part of his career.
Rahane captained India in six Tests, winning four and remaining unbeaten as captain. His most celebrated leadership assignment came during the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.
After India were dismissed for 36 in Adelaide, Rahane took over the captaincy for the remainder of the series following Virat Kohli’s departure. He responded with a century in the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground as India fought back into the series. India eventually won the series 2-1, completing the comeback with a historic victory at the Gabba.
Mumbai Connection Continues at Wankhede
The connection between Rahane and Tendulkar has recently received another symbolic dimension at their home ground.
The Mumbai Cricket Association has named lounges at the Wankhede Stadium after Rahane and Tendulkar, alongside former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar and former Mumbai captain and MCA president Amol Kale.
For Rahane, therefore, Waugh’s comparison reaches beyond a superficial resemblance in batting style. Tendulkar was a childhood role model whose technique Rahane actively studied before eventually becoming his teammate and establishing his own place in Mumbai and Indian cricket.
