Sachin Tendulkar

So it came, The day I dreaded since I started watching cricket or say I became conscious, The day when Sachin Tendulkar said he will stop playing cricket. Its a known fact that he is one of best sportsperson India have ever produced. He is responsible in raising spirits of Indians during economic hardships, earthquake, tsunamis and terrorist attacks. Who can forget that 100 in Chennai after terrible 26/11. He was the reason that I (Ok we) could smile even after depressing things all around. Whether it is the slaps on cheek because a student screwed a maths (or English for villagers like me) test or the fines a biker have to pay just because a policemen had to complete his quota of challans.

Everybody who grew with Sachin’s batting (I am sure everybody in India have) must have some special memories. I am penning down some of mine. During my adolescent days when I was forced to study, he used to bring cheer to me. Most of us would have done it but for me it takes courage to admit that I faked stomach aches and headaches during my school days, to watch Sachin bat. I can never forget the desert storm innings which I could only witness in bits and pieces because my parents thought that it is too late for a 10 year old to remain awake after 10:30, while they continues watching that magician. It was my urge to watch my favourite batsman bat that made me feel thirst and headache every 10 minutes. I could sleep only after cheek treatment that we middle class children used to get at our tantrums. I slept weeping and cursing myself. I grew and so did my adulation for him. His batting used to abate frustration of being unable to solve a Physics problem even after spending 3 hours. He was the inspiration during CAT prep when ability of others made me feel like a lamb against a deadly wolf in that hyper competitive world. He was one of those who made me believe “I will do it” when whole universe was telling “Ch(*)uck it Dude!! Tumse na ho Payega“.

I (Hope many of you too) hated and made fun of a moderately good cricket (Look I still can’t acknowledge that he is best allrounder that we have) just because it was because of him that we can’t win against australia in Hyderabad despite an innings which only Sachin could have pulled off. Whenever Indian cricket team failed in cricket I made a promise to myself that I will lessen my madness towards this silly game but was never able to, because of him. Winning world cup was special because it was HIS dream.

For Indians Sachin is a single line answer to any argument put by Britishers, Australians and South Africans like Bangaloreans use “Bangalore ka weather acha h”. Only difference being it is as effective as the legendary “Mere pass Maa hai”. Now cricket will not remain the same. Life is intertwined with Cricket Sachin so much that retirement will leave a vacuum which will be difficult to fill. It is just an understatement to say You shall be missed.