When Wankhede stadium talks to Sachin

Sachin,its me,the place where you have spent maximum time as a cricketer.Heard about your retirement and just like every single person the slideshow of your presence here ran through my mind.Never got a chance to express my feelings towards you in last 25 years.I always wanted to say a word to you. But every time I saw your performance here & I was speechless.You were always surrounded by your fans,official & other important people.But if not now then I don’t know when I will get chance to have a word with you.It is the last time you will be here in the dressing room.

I remember that day back in 1988.An innocent faced boy was padding up in the Indian cricket team’s net session.Many other cricket stars from Indian team were there but you grabbed my attention to the most.Watching you bat against some fearsome fast bowlers like Kapil Dev made me think that who is this wonder boy?.It didn’t took long time for me to get the answer.It was 11^th December 1988,Mumbai were playing against Gujarat.You walked in at Number 4 and the rest is history! I consider myself very lucky to become first venue to see your century in recognizable format of cricket.

25 years have passed after you played here for the first time.In these 25 years you have reached the apogee in cricket.It was always wonderful to watch you whenever you played here.The three glorious moments that I can never forget about you are when scored centuries playing here. The 148 innings which you scored in 1997 against Sri Lanka , 114 runs knock in the ODI against South Africa & the 100 which you scored in IPL 2011.Whenever you came out here to bat the roar & cheer from crowd is fascinating.I was also the one who always cheered for you but my voice was nothing in front of the huge crowd who were here primarily to watch their loved cricketer-Sachin Tendulkar .Who can forget that 2011 world cup final. That joy on your face said everything.Haven’t seen you so emotional in all those 25 years.I realized after that victory that the nascent wonder boy which I saw 25 years ago has went on to conquer the world!

Yes,there were two instances when I was disappointed a bit.Back in 2000 against South Africa when you were out on 97 & recently against West Indies when you were 6 runs away from 100^th international century.Just like everyone else,I also like to see more & more centuries from you.If we see age wise I came into existence in 1975.So I was just 14 years of age when you made your international debut! They say Lord’s is the home of cricket but in this religion of cricket being home ground of the god himself is something really prestigious.Every single person who comes here doesn’t leave without remembering you.It feels great when the people around the world know me as the home ground of Sachin Tendulkar.

There will be a big void created when you will leave from here for the last time.The matches will keep on going but there won’t be that roar with the name of Sachin.There won’t be those anxious eyes looking at the pavilion after the fall of 2^nd wicket.There won’t be a stunned silence when Sachin loses his wicket.There won’t be a sachinist entering the field & taking your blessings during the match.

I am grateful that I will see you playing for the one last time.I will miss your signature style stance on the wicket.I will miss that emollient feeling when the classic drives from your bat take the ball to the boundary. I will miss those massive sixes going all around the stands. I will always look at that SachinTendulkar stand whenever I will remember you in future.The stands will be here,the spectators will be here but the only thing missing will be you.It has always been pleasure for me to share the premises with legend like you.This 25 year old partnership will be coming to halt very soon.Thank you for all those glorious moments that you have given to me.It doesn’t matter if someone scores 100’s or 200’s or take 10 wickets here in the future .Sachin,you will always remain in my heart!