My memories of the legend - Sachin Tendulkar

Then there was a year (2007, after India got out in the first round of World Cup and Greg Chappell was back on the flight to Melbourne) when Sachin scored a pile of runs but couldn’t make a century. He even got dismissed on 99 courtesy the umpire who gave a terrible decision.

He was playing magnificently but was unable to convert the 80s- 90s into 100s but for the New Year Test in Sydney where he scored a century again and the whole country was relieved. Indian team had a new captain in the coloured version of the game and personally for me it is in these times (The period from 2008-2010) that Sachin had played his best game since 1998.

He scored back-to-back centuries in the CB series finals helping India lift the prestigious tournament’s trophy for the first time ever. The other terrific knock which comes to my mind from that time is the hundred at Chennai in the 4th innings of a Test match when India needed 387 runs to chase and they did it with the help of the master.

Another century which needs a mention is the 175 (again vs Australia) at Hyderabad in a run chase where India needed 350 to chase. India eventually lost the match by mere 3 runs, but that Sachin knock is etched in my mind.

Sometimes cricket fans love watching battles between a particular batsman and a particular bowler as it brings out the best in both. Sachin has had battles like these with many of his contemporary bowlers such as Allan Donald, Glenn McGrath, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and recently when India toured South Africa, his battles with Dale Steyn were a treat to any cricket lover. He scored 2 Test centuries in 2 consecutive matches including his 50th Test ton on that tour and for me personally, these 2 knocks were the best I’ve seen him play.

By this time, Sachin had become selective in playing the shorter format of the game. Team India didn’t rely totally on him and had started winning matches. He would be a feature in the key tournaments and I am glad that he decided to play in the Gwalior ODI against S.Africa or the audience would’ve missed the masterstroke of a double century.

He made 200 in an ODI game and that too facing Dale Steyn, the deadliest bowler in recent times and once again I felt proud that I belong to an era where I’ve seen the greatest cricketer ever play the game. My belief got stronger later on when he completed the mammoth record, the unimaginable record of hundred 100s. Such had been the fuss over it that even the great man was twitchy and streaky when he came close to the milestone but eventually completed it against Bangladesh in the Asia Cup.

The only thing which was left in his record book was finally completed in the World Cup 2011 when India won the trophy. This was something special for the whole team and especially for the Master who was playing in his sixth World Cup, had scored the most no. of runs in the tournament’s history and deserved to have the trophy in his collection. Team India rightfully dedicated the victory to the great man. I can still remember his 50 and India’s great win over Australia in the Quarterfinals which I witnessed in Ahmedabad.

Over the years, the amount of articles written about him has to be a record for any cricketer. But the legend has handled all the pressure and hype created around him so easily that its one hell of an achievement. I can recall very clearly that the rumours about his retirement started way back in 2002 when he was out of the team because of an injury called ‘tennis elbow’.

He’s played for 11 years after that and has scored 24 Test centuries and 18 ODI centuries! Imagine what a loss it would’ve made to Indian cricket (perhaps world cricket excluding the bowlers whose economy rate he exacerbated) had he listened to his critics then. They are never tired of complaining and Sachin answered them by his bat time and again.

He has been playing for 24 years which is more than my current age. When he announced his retirement, he said, “I’ve been living my dream since 24 years.” And while doing that, he has been a great entertainer, great motivator, a living example of success, determination, hard work and perseverance, an inspiration to many and an idol for the young lot.

I can proudly boast that I’ve witnessed his batting twice and I feel honored that I belong to Sachin Era (Even though I just saw the later half of the master’s career but still that counts). Thank you Sachin for being the greatest source of inspiration and for providing the people of this country so much happiness because when you played all the people forgot their worries and just enjoyed your batting.

This article is a tribute to the BEST BATSMAN the world has ever produced from a fan and as Sourav Ganguly said, “Its not just the talent that he was born with, it’s what he did with it”.