A Proud Moment
17 October 2008 - a very special day for Indian cricket fans. Sachin Tendulkar overtook Brian Lara and become the highest run getter in Test history. He also become the first player ever to reach the milestone of 12,000 runs.
I am extremely happy for Sachin. He has been my hero for a long long time now. I've had the privilege of watching this genius construct such an amazing career over the last 19 years. I've seen most of his test innings, followed every century, every dismissal, prayed for him when he's been out of form, silently despised his critics whenever they suggested that he's a spent force.
For me, the most endearing thing about Sachin is the way he has carried himself over all these years. Dignity and humility do not come easily to people who scale such dizzying heights, but Sachin has remained both dignified and humble despite being a demi-god for a billion plus fans!!
We're surely seeing Sachin in the twilight of his career now, but I sincerely pray to God that whenever it happens, he has the kind of exit he truly deserves. There are people who always point out that Sachin has not played too many match-winning innings in the fourth innings, unlike Brian Lara. There are people who will always say that his record in finals is a let down. But what no one can deny is that he gave hope to a whole generation - a hope that India can take on the best in the world and come out winning. He provided a country with a role model. In a country where people in the public limelight often set the wrong example, Sachin has inspired God knows how many youngsters to excel in their sport and represent their country.
I would also like to point out that in most of India's recent overseas wins, Sachin has had a major role. When we won a test match at Trinidad a couple of seasons ago, Sachin made a big century in the first innings, which put India in the driver's seat. When we won a test match at Edgbaston, Sachin had made 192 in the first innings. When we won a test at Adelaide in 2003-04, Sachin got rid of Steve Waugh and Damien Martyn in the Australian second innings, which actually ensured that our final target remained gettable. On the latest tour of Australia on 2007-08, Sachin got runs in every Test match, which is why India ended up causing so many headaches for the world champions.
In ODIs, I guess Sachin was almost single-handedly responsible for taking India to the semi finals of '96 World Cup. He won us the 1998 Australasia Cup in Sharjah with two back to back, unforgettable centuries against Australia. In the Natwest series in England, people remember how Yuvraj and Mohd. Kaif won us the final, but people easily forget that Sachin was the highest scorer of the tournament and he played a major role in getting us into the finals. Once again in the 2003 World Cup, the big scores he got at the top of the order was what took India to the finals. No one would ever forget that outstanding innings against Pakistan where Sachin, seriously affected by a back injury took on Shoaib Akhtar and made him look pedestrian. Similar story in the 2008 WSC series in Australia where Sachin made two back to back 90's to win the best of 3 finals for India.
I could just go on and on here enlisting great contributions made by the little master. I don't think any cricketer would ever influence me the way Sachin has done and I'm not sure if my interest in cricket would continue after Sachin decides to call it a day. The late cut played virtually off the 'keeper's gloves, the paddle sweep, the pull over mid wicket, the flick of the wrist to pick a ball from off stump and dispatch it through mid on.......I'm sure these typical Sachin shots would remains etched in our minds long long after he is gone from the scene.
I only wish that he ends his career on a high, reaching several more milestones in the process. For being the idol of a generation, for being a proud Indian, for bringing so many cheers into the life of a billion Indians and for being such a great contributor to the game of cricket, Sachin deserves it.
I am extremely happy for Sachin. He has been my hero for a long long time now. I've had the privilege of watching this genius construct such an amazing career over the last 19 years. I've seen most of his test innings, followed every century, every dismissal, prayed for him when he's been out of form, silently despised his critics whenever they suggested that he's a spent force.
For me, the most endearing thing about Sachin is the way he has carried himself over all these years. Dignity and humility do not come easily to people who scale such dizzying heights, but Sachin has remained both dignified and humble despite being a demi-god for a billion plus fans!!
We're surely seeing Sachin in the twilight of his career now, but I sincerely pray to God that whenever it happens, he has the kind of exit he truly deserves. There are people who always point out that Sachin has not played too many match-winning innings in the fourth innings, unlike Brian Lara. There are people who will always say that his record in finals is a let down. But what no one can deny is that he gave hope to a whole generation - a hope that India can take on the best in the world and come out winning. He provided a country with a role model. In a country where people in the public limelight often set the wrong example, Sachin has inspired God knows how many youngsters to excel in their sport and represent their country.
I would also like to point out that in most of India's recent overseas wins, Sachin has had a major role. When we won a test match at Trinidad a couple of seasons ago, Sachin made a big century in the first innings, which put India in the driver's seat. When we won a test match at Edgbaston, Sachin had made 192 in the first innings. When we won a test at Adelaide in 2003-04, Sachin got rid of Steve Waugh and Damien Martyn in the Australian second innings, which actually ensured that our final target remained gettable. On the latest tour of Australia on 2007-08, Sachin got runs in every Test match, which is why India ended up causing so many headaches for the world champions.
In ODIs, I guess Sachin was almost single-handedly responsible for taking India to the semi finals of '96 World Cup. He won us the 1998 Australasia Cup in Sharjah with two back to back, unforgettable centuries against Australia. In the Natwest series in England, people remember how Yuvraj and Mohd. Kaif won us the final, but people easily forget that Sachin was the highest scorer of the tournament and he played a major role in getting us into the finals. Once again in the 2003 World Cup, the big scores he got at the top of the order was what took India to the finals. No one would ever forget that outstanding innings against Pakistan where Sachin, seriously affected by a back injury took on Shoaib Akhtar and made him look pedestrian. Similar story in the 2008 WSC series in Australia where Sachin made two back to back 90's to win the best of 3 finals for India.
I could just go on and on here enlisting great contributions made by the little master. I don't think any cricketer would ever influence me the way Sachin has done and I'm not sure if my interest in cricket would continue after Sachin decides to call it a day. The late cut played virtually off the 'keeper's gloves, the paddle sweep, the pull over mid wicket, the flick of the wrist to pick a ball from off stump and dispatch it through mid on.......I'm sure these typical Sachin shots would remains etched in our minds long long after he is gone from the scene.
I only wish that he ends his career on a high, reaching several more milestones in the process. For being the idol of a generation, for being a proud Indian, for bringing so many cheers into the life of a billion Indians and for being such a great contributor to the game of cricket, Sachin deserves it.
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