Cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar joined LinkedIn today as a LinkedIn Influencer. He is said to be the first cricketer in the world to join the league of influencers on the global social network. In his first ever post ‘My second innings’ on LinkedIn, Sachin wrote about his decision to retire from cricket after nearly 25 years, his second innings as a change-maker and his business ventures. Also, in an interview with Ramya Venugopal, Senior Editor, LinkedIn, Sachin spoke about his second innings as a philanthropist at length.

In the post that Sachin shared, he revealed how he knew that it was time for him to retire. He wrote,

“Sunil Gavaskar, one of my heroes and a former cricketer, once said that he made up his mind to quit the game when he found himself checking the clock, to see how much time there was left for the lunch and tea intervals. Suddenly I knew exactly what he meant. My mind and my body were telling me the same thing. Maybe, it’s time to hang up my boots.”

Giving another example, he added, 

“I also remembered the words of Billy Jean King, at Wimbledon a few years ago – you will know for sure when to go, it will come from inside you, don’t let the world decide when you have to retire.”

Speaking about his decision to retire after discussions with his family and friends, Sachin further wrote,

“The years flashed before my eyes. The victories, the losses, the celebrations, the challenges and the silencesthe journey. India’s win at the World Cup in 2011 was a dream come true as was the teams generous gesture of dedicating the cup to me. But, that chapter of my life was ending. What now, I wondered.”

He wrote that his first innings was about chasing his dreams and his second innings is more about satisfaction. And that satisfaction comes from the activities he is involved in. He wrote about the project ‘Spreading Happiness’, his participation in PM Narendra Modi’s Swacch Bharat campaign, his role as a UNICEF ambassador, and Puttamraju Kandriga, a village he adopted in Andra Pradesh two years back. Talking about his business ventures, he wrote about the football team ‘Kerela Blasters’ which he co-owns in the Indian Super League and his firm  – SRT Sports Management Company.

Summing up the post in the best way possible, Sachin wrote,

“So, what does a sportsperson do when they are not playing their sport anymore? Quite a lot, I have found out?”

Well you’re right about that Sachin, but we miss you a lot on the field!

You can read the entire post here.

Excited to be on @LinkedInIndia! Look forward to explore this wonderful platform now on: https://t.co/hfwcgPv9dT #SachinOnLinkedIn

? sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) March 2, 2017