Sachin Tendulkar. (File photo)

NEW DELHI: Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar on Tuesday shared a touching memory from 1989-90 when former India player Gursharan Singh, despite having a broken hand, came out to bat at number 10 to help Tendulkar score 103 runs in an Irani Cup match between Rest of India and Delhi at Wankhede Stadium.Delhi won the match by 309 runs, with Rest of India being bowled out for 245 while chasing a target of 554. Besides Tendulkar’s century, WV Raman’s 41 was the only other notable performance.When Rest of India was struggling at 209 for nine wickets, Gursharan Singh walked out to bat with his broken hand. He helped add 36 runs for the final wicket partnership with Tendulkar.“As they say, promises are meant to be kept. I feel I’ll go a step further and say that promises are meant to be kept, but also meant to be delivered… and that is what is our DNA,” Tendulkar recalled at an event.“I can recall an incident… long way back in 1989 when I was playing Irani Trophy. This was a trial match before one got selected for India. I was batting in the 90s, and my partner, Gursharan Singh, had an injury — a broken hand — and he wasn’t supposed to bat. But he was asked by the chairman of the selection committee, Raj Singh Dungarpur, to go out and bat and support his teammate. Gursharan came and helped me reach my hundred and I got selected to play for India after that. Afterward, Gursharan also became part of the Indian cricket team.”Gursharan Singh, who later played one Test match and one ODI for India, received heartfelt gratitude from Tendulkar for his gesture.“I thanked him profusely on the ground and in the dressing room because it was a big thing for him to come out with a broken hand,” Tendulkar said.“Just stepping out with a broken hand was significant. Whether I scored a hundred or not was secondary. His intent and attitude mattered most to me (and) that truly touched my heart,” he added.