Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar urged young players to trust their instincts over technology on 15 November 2026 at the Indian Street Premier League (ISPL) Season 4 Player Auction in Mumbai, stressing that data and analytics should enhance preparation — not override instinctive decision-making during live competition.

Tendulkar's core message on technology

Speaking on the sidelines of the auction, the Master Blaster drew a clear line between the training ground and the playing field. 'Technology should be an enabler, not a distraction. Use it while practising, but when you step onto the field to compete, trust your natural instincts and allow your subconscious mind to take over,' he said.

He expanded on the unique cognitive demands of batting: 'In cricket, a batter has very little time to process information when a bowler is running in. You can have your game plans in place, but once you are out in the middle, it is important to keep a clear mind and back yourself to react instinctively.' He added, 'Technology can help you to a certain extent, but ultimately, you have to trust yourself. That is when you perform at your best.'

Grassroots cricket and ISPL's talent mission

The 2011 World Cup winner, who also serves on the ISPL Core Committee, spoke passionately about the league's role in unearthing talent from every corner of India. 'Talent is like flowing water. You may be able to stop it temporarily, but you cannot block it forever. Irrespective of whether a player comes from the biggest city or the smallest town, talent will always find its way,' he said.

He pointed to Vivek Shelar as a concrete example — a player who earned a berth in the Maharashtra squad for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy on the back of standout performances in ISPL Season 3. 'This is fantastic news for ISPL and a sign that we are moving in the right direction. I believe this is just the beginning, and we will continue to produce more players who make us proud,' Tendulkar said.

Keeping the joy of cricket alive

Tendulkar also shared a personal anecdote about nearly losing the joy of the game during an injury rehabilitation stint in England. Playing practice matches at smaller venues, he said, reminded him why he had fallen in love with cricket in the first place.

'The most important lesson is to keep things simple and never forget why you first picked up a cricket bat or ball. As you progress, ambitions, expectations and responsibilities grow, and somewhere along the way, the pressure can take away the joy of playing the game,' he reflected. He urged the players assembled at the auction: 'Keep things simple, express yourselves on the field and never let the child in you who fell in love with cricket get lost along the way.'

Who else attended the ISPL Season 4 auction

The event drew prominent names beyond the cricketing fraternity. Cabinet Minister Ashish Shelar, Minal Amol Kale, Suraj Samat, and head selectors Jatin Paranjape and Pravin Amre were all present. Bollywood couple Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan, co-owners of the Tiigers of Kolkata franchise, also attended, adding star wattage to the proceedings.

With ISPL positioning itself as a credible pipeline for domestic cricket, Tendulkar's presence and advocacy at the auction underscores the league's ambitions to become a meaningful feeder to India's mainstream cricket structure.