Sachin a synonym to Cricket : A Tribute

Two notable Instances

* India vs Australia, Sharjah – 143 in 131 balls April 22, 1998 

This wasn’t a cricket match. Yeah, It was more a Bollywood film where you see the protagonist, after being bashed up by goons, rising up like an avenging angel. A middle-order collapse, mounting asking rate, an aggressive bowling attack and a desert storm. Sachin Tendulkar overcame all these adversities and bludgeoned five sixes and nine fours to help India qualify for the triseries final. India needed 276 to win, or 237 to qualify off 46 overs, thanks to a revised target following a sandstorm. Tendulkar’s heroics helped India qualify. In the final, he belted another ton to help India win the trophy.

It was a memorable inning! Delight to watch him play in Sharjah.

 * India vs South Africa, Gwalior – 200 not out in 147 balls, Feb 24, 2010

Sachin Tendulkar’s tryst with making history dates back to his school days when he carved records out of habit. 21 years after his debut, he became the first man to score a double hundred in an ODI. The feat came against an attack consisting of Dale Steyn, Charl Langeveldt and Wayne Parnell. The first double century ever in ODI’s – another feat to his name.

The bestest innings of Sachin.

Glorious Start said it all! 

A tiny figure, all of 16, walked onto the field for the first time in a Test match against Pakistan team comprising of blood-thirsty Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis. One ball roared and the kid was in a pool of blood. After a little patch work, he stood up, “I’ll bat.” Navjot Singh Sidhu’s jaw dropped right to the ground. That was none other than Sachin who went on to be the greatest batsman and moreover the most successful cricketer of all time. ODIs were different but so was Tendulkar, not any other batsmen but one for whom God had reserved the chosen stuff. Tendulkar’s aura grew stronger due to his grounded nature. His humility on and off the field despite batting records kissing his feat makes him double the legend he is today. But one thing was still missing – a World Cup trophy. That void was also filled in with the victory of India in 2011 World Cup – The whole team dedicated the emphatic win to Sachin!

As the tennis great Martina Navratilova said, “The mark of great sportsmen is not how good they are at their best, but how good they are their worst.” That’s where Tendulkar has outraced every cricketer. Even when at his lowest ebb and people calling for his head incessantly, Tendulkar never lost his composure and remain dignified both on and off the field. He never questioned an umpire’s call but accepted it with grace. He never abused, never resorted to sledging. Only did what he knew the best, that is play cricket.

This religions owes everything to him!

That’s what makes him stand in elite company. That’s what makes him Sachin Tendulkar. Thank you, Sachin, for entertaining us. ODI cricket will find it difficult to fill the void created by your absence.