Sachin Tendulkar turns tweet into reality, meets armless Kashmiri cricketer

SRINAGAR: Legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar had a memorable encounter on Friday, meeting Amir Hassan Lone, an exceptional armless cricketer from South Kashmir, during his holiday expedition to the Kashmir valley.

Amir, prominently featured in an exclusive interview by The New Indian last month, garnered Tendulkar’s admiration with his unique cricketing technique, utilizing his legs for delivery and positioning the bat ingeniously between his head and shoulders.

Taking to Twitter, Sachin Tendulkar lauded J&K Para captain Amir, acknowledging his prowess in turning challenges into triumphs. The cricket icon expressed a heartfelt desire to meet Amir and possess a personalized jersey.

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FLASH: Sachin Tendulkar meets Amir Hussain Lone, a 34-year-old armless cricketer from Bijbehara in Anantnag at a hotel in Srinagar. The New Indian had done an exclusive story on Amir Hussain. Amir was featured in an exclusive interview by The New Indian Principal Correspondent… pic.twitter.com/bELr2PE3GL

— The New Indian (@TheNewIndian_in) February 24, 2024

Amir, who endured the loss of both arms in a childhood tragedy, found solace in cricket. Undeterred by adversity, he embarked on his professional journey in 2013 after a perceptive teacher recognized his talent, introducing him to Para cricket. Despite hurdles, Amir remains an epitome of self-reliance and resilience, inspiring countless individuals.

Initiating his cricketing journey in 2013 during his college days, Amir later joined J&K’s para cricket team, participating in national events across Delhi, Lucknow, and Kerala. In 2017, he proudly represented India in an international match in Bangladesh and has showcased his skills in Dubai, Sharjah, and Nepal.

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In an exclusive interview with The New Indian‘s Principal Correspondent Emaad Makhdoomi last month, Amir expressed, “Sachin Tendulkar has always been my inspiration, and I aspired to emulate him in my life.” He eagerly stated, “God willing, if given the chance, I would love to meet Sachin Tendulkar; meeting him is a dream of mine.”

Sachin Tendulkar documented the heartening meeting on his Facebook profile, personally autographing a cricket bat for Amir Hussain Lone and presenting it to him in a heartfelt gesture.

In a conversation with The New Indian, Amir Hussain shared insights from his hour-long meeting with Sachin Tendulkar in Srinagar. Expressing deep gratitude for Tendulkar’s warm reception, Amir highlighted the cricket legend’s inquiries about his tragic accident, recovery, and triumphant return to cricket.