The last gentleman of what used to be gentlemen’s game exhibited his skills for possibly the last time today.
Why is Sachin Tendulkar loved all over by the people is not hard to fathom. He embodies the qualities everyone wants to see in his child. He has been a hardworking, honest man dedicated to his extended family not just his wife and kids, who scripted a rags to riches story through sheer grit, determination and dedication to his chosen vocation. Sachin never looked for shortcuts, did not let success go to his head, kept his mouth shut in an era when thanks to TV and social media everyone thinks his/her opinion matters to others and must be expressed. He came at a time when India was worried about who after Gavaskar?
He embodies the qualities everyone wants to see in his child. He has been a hardworking, honest man dedicated to his extended family not just his wife and kids, who scripted a rags to riches story through sheer grit, determination and dedication to his chosen vocation.
Sunil Gavaskar was the original Little Master who silenced the West Indian quickies, gave it back to the Australians and told a generation of Indians that it was time to stop confusing timidity with politeness and to stand up to the world. In case of Sachin it was the bat that did all the talking. He was core to the renaissance in Indian cricket which culminated with the World Cup and Champion Trophy titles. His greatness lay in the fact that he was ready to sacrifice for the good of the game and country. It could be something as small as giving up shots which were getting him out to now his place in the Indian team. Sachin even did not hesitate in giving up captaincy, whether it be the Indian cricket team or the Mumbai Indians, as he felt there were others who could do a better job. As Sharad Pawar has revealed, Indian capitancy was his for asking for a second time but he recommended MS Dhoni.
His records may be broken but just like there will never be another Lata or Kishore, cricket fields around the world will not see another Sachin for whom the game was a passion and not a means of livelihood. If wishes were horses then the fairytale ending to the Sachin saga would be to see him come out of retirement in 2017 and be part of the Indian team that wins the Test World cup in 2017. May be the God above will make true this wish for God of Cricket. Adieu Sachin. We wait for your next avatar.
Adieu Sachin. We wait for your next avatar.
