Last Updated on 1 year by Charbel Coorey

Cricket News: Former Netherlands cricketer Tim de Leede shares lovely story on Sachin Tendulkar | Sachin Tendulkar 2003 World Cup story

Former Netherlands cricketer Tim de Leede, father of star all-rounder Bas de Leede, has shared a lovely story on cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar.

Speaking to BBC, de Leede recalled the 2003 World Cup match against India, where he finished man of the match with 4/35. This included the dismissal of Tendulkar, who went on to score the most runs in that tournament with 673.

However, the joy didn’t end there for de Leede. Not only did he receive the match ball, but he was able to get a special signature years later.

Tim de Leede recalls lovely Sachin Tendulkar moment

“I took four wickets against India in the 2003 World Cup. Umpire Peter Willey gave the ball to me as a momento,” de Leede recalled. “I wanted Sachin to sign it, but by the time I’d done media duties, the India team had left.

“Some years later, Tendulkar was in the Netherlands getting some treatment on an elbow injury and a physio friend tipped me off. He was gracious, remembered the game and kindly signed it for me.”

In the 2003 meeting at Paarl, de Leede led an inspired bowling display. The Dutch knocked over a class Indian batting lineup that included Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid and Yuvraj Singh for just 204 in 48.5 overs.

The Indian attack was too strong in the second-half of that match, dismissing the Netherlands for 136 despite Daan van Bunge’s 62. Javagal Srinath (4/30) and Anil Kumble (4/32) took eight of the ten wickets.

“Some years later, Tendulkar was in the Netherlands getting some treatment on an elbow injury and a physio friend tipped me off. He was gracious, remembered the game and kindly signed it for me.”

Tim de Leede on Sachin Tendulkar

Fast forward to 2023, and the two teams will meet for just the third time in ODI cricket. They will clash at Bengaluru in the final match of the league stage on 12 November.

The Netherlands pulled off a remarkable effort in the Qualifier tournament in Zimbabwe earlier this year, where they managed to seal their passage to the World Cup despite missing a host of key players. Tim’s son, Bas, produced one of the all-time great performances, taking 5/52 and scoring a 93-ball 123 to enable the Dutch to qualify after a classic against Scotland.