To the man whom we all know as Sachin Tendulkar.
As I write this piece of blog, I am very emotional as Sachin got out, with teary eyed Thanking would just understate the fact that this person has ruled my life for a good part of 17 years. I will always remember him as a person who always stood for what was right and dictated terms of his own, no matter how gigantic the problem was. His ability to maintain composure and his ethical values will always standout as being modest. His passion for cricket drew me towards the game, can't imagine the pressure and the well wishes of billions of people every time he walks out to bat.Every time he walks out to bat in the middle, a nation walks with him.
I was introduced to cricket by Sachin, you were everything that I knew about it. Never was your name taken in a wrongful way. I know people whose friendships and relations are not the same before, we grew closer because of you. You've bonded us well so strong that it is hard to let go off you. I distantly remember my first memory of yours in 1996 World cup, India vs Australia. You were toiling the attack at will. Though I didn't knew the complexities of the cricket then, you made me happy.
Then I would also remember your innings in Dhaka in the Coca-Cola trophy, where you took the bowlers to the laundries, and how vital it was for the team.
There came the Desert storm innings in Sharjah Apr,1998. I still remember the innings as it happened yesterday, it was a day-night match the room in my old house was about 8x10 feet. There were 10-12 people in our TV room that evening, it was chase that began around late evening time around 8-9 pm. Everyone were eager to watch that match as it was the match that took us to the final of the trophy. And there you were on a swansong who mellowed the Australian attack back and forth, spanking Kasprowicz, Fleming, Tom Moody, Steve Waugh and of course Shane Warne all over the ground. It was not before a sandstorm came, after which the way you grabbed the match at the scruff of its neck was scintillating, amazing innings to watch. It was the time when I felt how much we were dependent on a man, who carried the hopes of a nation. A nation, which was looking forward to a hero, to idolize, to worship, to love.
And next came Pakistan to in India in Jan-Feb 1999 in Chennai, to me this was the innings which I will cherish all my life.To have witnessed such an innings is a blessing. Though the second innings hundred came in a losing cause, it was the innings of grit and determination at its best and dedication at its epitome. I still remember that knock, those drives, the pressure from all of us cheering on television at home and millions across the country. Pak believed and so did we, it was Sachin who stood between an Indian victory and defeat. The pain with which you played must be cruel and excruciating, which overtook your concentration on the game and bought tears to an entire nation with you, let alone myself. It was with that innings established you for me as the greatest and most dedicated batsman for the Indian cause.
There was the 99' World Cup in England, where you became an example for millions when took the field vs Kenya, to put your team above yourself despite the unimaginably huge loss of your father.
Then came your low phase, where everyone had written you off never thinking how a person would feel listening to this. These were the times when you proved everyone wrong, making them eat their words by coming back stronger on field after your injury. Like the innings in Sydney in 2003-04 where you did not play a single shot on the off out of your 200 odd runs because you had been out plenty of times in the series playing the ball on the off and outside off stump. You symbolized as a person who believed hardwork and the never give up attitude would pay dividends finally. You showed the world what stuff the champions are made of.
Then you were this all new transformed batsman, post the 2007 World cup debacle which never really took off. You were the new player who played defensively yet made sure we got to enjoy whenever you did blaze. The Hyderabad innings of 175 vs Aus was the attacking best in a long time, reminding the kids who had started watching cricket recently, how close that knock was to the Sharjah 1998 match. Mesmerizing cover drives, elegant straight drives, amazing cut shots. Oh my Sachin.. I'm lost at words here.
A man's dream was also the nation's dream in 2011. You played the World Cup with such focus and hunger with the team complimenting your efforts with the win. Everyone gave their everything and we witnessed a spectacle of our lives when we won the World Cup. You were in tears, so was the country. Happy for you, happy for the team, happy for your efforts all this 22 years that you put in. You made me cry, you made me happy, you made me bunk classes you made me to stay awake.
There was many a times when I have cussed a few words for you, for the team and for others, that is when I have felt more close to you, cared more for you. You have been there all my cricketing life, it would be very menial to say Thank you for such lovely memories that you've left me with. It is only fitting we continue to remember you in happier times of Indian cricket and in times of adversity. You will always remain in our heart as a hero who captured the imagination of millions of people and held them together like the grip of your bat. Can't imagine, how it must be for a person to go out in the middle with billions expecting to perform well, every single time, while we struggle to cope with our mundane lives. Surely you are special.
Good Bye Tendlya,
15- Nov-2013
This was my memory of Sachin.. whats your special memory of the Master ?
Sachin's Last Test
As I write this piece of blog, I am very emotional as Sachin got out, with teary eyed Thanking would just understate the fact that this person has ruled my life for a good part of 17 years. I will always remember him as a person who always stood for what was right and dictated terms of his own, no matter how gigantic the problem was. His ability to maintain composure and his ethical values will always standout as being modest. His passion for cricket drew me towards the game, can't imagine the pressure and the well wishes of billions of people every time he walks out to bat.Every time he walks out to bat in the middle, a nation walks with him.
Then I would also remember your innings in Dhaka in the Coca-Cola trophy, where you took the bowlers to the laundries, and how vital it was for the team.
There came the Desert storm innings in Sharjah Apr,1998. I still remember the innings as it happened yesterday, it was a day-night match the room in my old house was about 8x10 feet. There were 10-12 people in our TV room that evening, it was chase that began around late evening time around 8-9 pm. Everyone were eager to watch that match as it was the match that took us to the final of the trophy. And there you were on a swansong who mellowed the Australian attack back and forth, spanking Kasprowicz, Fleming, Tom Moody, Steve Waugh and of course Shane Warne all over the ground. It was not before a sandstorm came, after which the way you grabbed the match at the scruff of its neck was scintillating, amazing innings to watch. It was the time when I felt how much we were dependent on a man, who carried the hopes of a nation. A nation, which was looking forward to a hero, to idolize, to worship, to love.
And next came Pakistan to in India in Jan-Feb 1999 in Chennai, to me this was the innings which I will cherish all my life.To have witnessed such an innings is a blessing. Though the second innings hundred came in a losing cause, it was the innings of grit and determination at its best and dedication at its epitome. I still remember that knock, those drives, the pressure from all of us cheering on television at home and millions across the country. Pak believed and so did we, it was Sachin who stood between an Indian victory and defeat. The pain with which you played must be cruel and excruciating, which overtook your concentration on the game and bought tears to an entire nation with you, let alone myself. It was with that innings established you for me as the greatest and most dedicated batsman for the Indian cause.
There was the 99' World Cup in England, where you became an example for millions when took the field vs Kenya, to put your team above yourself despite the unimaginably huge loss of your father.
Then fast forward to 2003 World Cup and the innings versus Pakistan, it was your aggressive best I saw given the occasion as a fiercy Shiva on MahaShivaratri day. My Xth board exams were just days away, you made me stay awake, long hours not to study, but to playback your innings over and over again in mind. It was a festive occasion, I offered prayers to God asking India to win the match. God obliged me by asking you to take over his mantle. You became GOD, for me and for all of them who worshiped you.
A man's dream was also the nation's dream in 2011. You played the World Cup with such focus and hunger with the team complimenting your efforts with the win. Everyone gave their everything and we witnessed a spectacle of our lives when we won the World Cup. You were in tears, so was the country. Happy for you, happy for the team, happy for your efforts all this 22 years that you put in. You made me cry, you made me happy, you made me bunk classes you made me to stay awake.
There was many a times when I have cussed a few words for you, for the team and for others, that is when I have felt more close to you, cared more for you. You have been there all my cricketing life, it would be very menial to say Thank you for such lovely memories that you've left me with. It is only fitting we continue to remember you in happier times of Indian cricket and in times of adversity. You will always remain in our heart as a hero who captured the imagination of millions of people and held them together like the grip of your bat. Can't imagine, how it must be for a person to go out in the middle with billions expecting to perform well, every single time, while we struggle to cope with our mundane lives. Surely you are special.
Good Bye Tendlya,
15- Nov-2013
Sachin's Last Test
