In a heartwarming reminder that sportsmanship knows no borders, former Bangladesh batsman Rajin Saleh has shared a touching story about the kindness he received from two of cricket's greatest icons during a difficult period in his career.

The year was 2004, and Saleh was struggling terribly with his batting form during India's tour of Bangladesh. After recording two ducks in a Test match and disappointing scores of 14 and 0 in the first two ODIs, the young cricketer's confidence had hit rock bottom. But what happened next became a defining moment in his career—one that showcases the beautiful side of cricket.

Mustering the courage to seek help, Saleh knocked on the hotel room door of none other than Sachin Tendulkar, widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in cricket history. The legend welcomed him warmly and listened to his struggles with genuine empathy.

"He smiled and gave me some tips," Saleh recalled in an exclusive interview. "He told me how to stay mentally fit going into a game by burying past performances. He said when you walk off the ground after getting out, just leave that innings there and start afresh in the next match."

The mentorship moment became even more special when former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly joined them. After listening quietly to Tendulkar's advice, Ganguly added his own words of encouragement: "Veer ki tarah khelo, yoddha bano" (Play like a warrior, become a warrior). He urged Saleh to bat fearlessly at the crease.

The impact was immediate and transformative. In the very next match, Saleh scored in the 80s against India, facing down top bowlers including Ajit Agarkar, Zaheer Khan, and Harbhajan Singh. It was a testament to the power of kind words and generous mentorship.

"One is God (Sachin) and the other is one of the finest captains India has ever produced (Ganguly). I truly admire them. I am grateful that I played against both those stars," said Saleh, who played 24 Tests and 43 ODIs for Bangladesh between 2003 and 2008.

The story doesn't end there. Saleh also fondly remembered Yuvraj Singh's generosity, recalling how the Indian all-rounder once took him to the dressing room and told him to take whichever bat he wanted, saying "le lo jo bhi bat chahiye" (take whatever bat you want). "He has such a big heart," Saleh reflected.

Now serving as the national high-performance batting coach with Bangladesh cricket, Saleh looks back on these moments with deep gratitude. His story is particularly poignant as it reminds us that the bonds formed through cricket can transcend political tensions and geographical boundaries.

In an era where cricket diplomacy has often helped ease tensions between nations, stories like Saleh's serve as beautiful reminders of the sport's unique power to unite people. The selfless mentorship offered by Tendulkar and Ganguly to a struggling opponent exemplifies the true spirit of the game—one where legends lift up the next generation, regardless of which flag they play under.

As Saleh concluded, "We miss playing against India. I really miss competing against India." His words echo a sentiment shared by cricket fans everywhere: that the game is always better when nations come together in the spirit of friendly competition and mutual respect.