Eight iconic images that defined cricket in India

#8 Sachin Tendulkar’s farewell speech in 2013

Sachin brings down the curtains on his career

Now, a speech is not something that one would associate with cricket or with any other sport for that matter. But when the man in question is someone as special as Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar, then anything is possible. Having done so much for Indian cricket with his bat, the little master for once, decided to let his mouth do the talking.

It was Tendulkar’s final Test match and was played against the West Indies at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai. After India won the match, Sachin was given the opportunity to share a few words with his fans and admirers. As he took the mic, the entire Wankhede crowd exploded. Tendulkar began his speech and said, “All my friends. Settle down, let me talk, I will get more and more emotional.”

Not only the Wankhede, but the entire nation became emotional on that day. One of the country’s all-time best players was bidding adieu to the game and people were finding it hard to hide their emotions. For many Indians, cricket was Sachin and they were unable to imagine the sport without him. Sachin cried and the entire nation cried with him.

He ended his speech by thanking his fans for their support as he said, “Without that life wouldn't have been like this for me. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart, and also say that time has flown by rather quickly, but the memories you have left with me will always be with me forever and ever, especially ‘Sachin, Sachin’ which will reverberate in my ears till I stop breathing. “