When I thought of writing something about Sachin, I did not know where to begin. It is not about the number of innings, but rather, my memory of the game begins with Sachin Tendulkar.
I could not watch the Pakistan series where the little maestro debuted. My connection with the legend started only during the 1992 World Cup, when I used to watch matches with my mama and first felt and understood the game called Cricket. Then, the now men-in-blue were men-in-navy blue (the colour that suited the Indian team the most).
I first saw Sachin batting when he opened the innings with the stylish batsman Krishnamachari Srikkanth. It was style along with balance that attracted me towards his play. Determination and focus would always be as visible on his face like sweat drops tricking down on a hot day in the field. The sweat drops are still visible after 20 years!
There are innumerable innings of the master that I like, but the innings he played twice at Sharjah against the Steve Waugh-led side in the midst of sand storm were a real treat to watch. And how anyone can forget his comeback innings against Kenya in the 1999 World Cup just few days after he lost his father? That was appreciated by one and all.
How a man who is barely five feet four inches tall bear the hopes of over a billion Indians, and that too for twenty years? He has done that outstandingly. I remember people switching off their television sets after the master got out. For them, Sachin’s wicket is the key. His staying at the wicket means the team could win and come out of any situation. I think, it’s that unquestionable faith and love of people that helped him to overcome any difficulty in his long career. I still remember a line from his Adidas ad when he says, ‘‘Whatever level you reach, getting better never stops’’.
And who could forget his stint as a captain? Even though it was a complete disaster. There was already too much pressure on him, and giving him an extra responsibility to lead the side proved too much for the little man. That brief spell as a skipper also made it clear that he could be a very good mentor but leading the side is not his cup of tea.
Every shot he plays brings an exclamation of wow on everyone’s face. It is very difficult or I should say impossible to pick one particular shot he plays the best. He also invented and added new strokes like paddle sweep and the shot over third man in his armour. And his six over the point region off Shoaib Akhtar in 2003 World Cup, goes down in history.
Sachin, with most of the records to his name is going strong even now. He is surely the most worshiped and trusted sports icon of the country. I wish he just carries on playing for India forever as I cannot see an Indian side without the man whom I call a living legend or to be precise ‘god’.
I could not watch the Pakistan series where the little maestro debuted. My connection with the legend started only during the 1992 World Cup, when I used to watch matches with my mama and first felt and understood the game called Cricket. Then, the now men-in-blue were men-in-navy blue (the colour that suited the Indian team the most).
I first saw Sachin batting when he opened the innings with the stylish batsman Krishnamachari Srikkanth. It was style along with balance that attracted me towards his play. Determination and focus would always be as visible on his face like sweat drops tricking down on a hot day in the field. The sweat drops are still visible after 20 years!
There are innumerable innings of the master that I like, but the innings he played twice at Sharjah against the Steve Waugh-led side in the midst of sand storm were a real treat to watch. And how anyone can forget his comeback innings against Kenya in the 1999 World Cup just few days after he lost his father? That was appreciated by one and all.
How a man who is barely five feet four inches tall bear the hopes of over a billion Indians, and that too for twenty years? He has done that outstandingly. I remember people switching off their television sets after the master got out. For them, Sachin’s wicket is the key. His staying at the wicket means the team could win and come out of any situation. I think, it’s that unquestionable faith and love of people that helped him to overcome any difficulty in his long career. I still remember a line from his Adidas ad when he says, ‘‘Whatever level you reach, getting better never stops’’.
And who could forget his stint as a captain? Even though it was a complete disaster. There was already too much pressure on him, and giving him an extra responsibility to lead the side proved too much for the little man. That brief spell as a skipper also made it clear that he could be a very good mentor but leading the side is not his cup of tea.
Every shot he plays brings an exclamation of wow on everyone’s face. It is very difficult or I should say impossible to pick one particular shot he plays the best. He also invented and added new strokes like paddle sweep and the shot over third man in his armour. And his six over the point region off Shoaib Akhtar in 2003 World Cup, goes down in history.
Sachin, with most of the records to his name is going strong even now. He is surely the most worshiped and trusted sports icon of the country. I wish he just carries on playing for India forever as I cannot see an Indian side without the man whom I call a living legend or to be precise ‘god’.
Hey a nice one yaar... i knw my comment might be a shocker to u, but its always pleasure to read Sachin. And what else one can say after Don himself felt and said that there are similarities in the technique.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice that u read the complete article..:-) I hope to receice more comments on the articles to come...:-)
ReplyDeleteYea..what all you wrote about him, its true..
ReplyDeleteHe's everythin dah ppl say he is.. n much more..
N yea, itz not an exaggeration to say,
"He's the 'God' of cricket."
N we all mus be proud f him n we all mus feel lucky dah he belongs to the amazing country to which we all belong.. :)
Hmmm..well-written. Enjoyed reading The best part about him is that he unites us. He isn't a Maharshtrian when he plays (A Certain Mr Thackeray should take note of this please!!!!!!)He is OURS, He is an INDIAN. In fact, i was reading something on Sachin by someone (i will tell you that someone) in our office today. it was not rubbish to be precise but quite mediocre. I think u should write about his most famous dismissals. like when he lost his wicket on 97 against Pak in WC 2003 (I Think it was the same world cup, correct me if m wrong)or when the match was declared while he was on the verge of a double century. i think he was on 195 if m not wrong!
ReplyDeleteAnd hey include the legendary Reverse Sweep too in his shots!!
yeah...that was World Cup 2003, when he got out on 98 vs Pak and the innings was declared when the master was batting on 194 against the same opponent...
ReplyDeletehey i liked the part where you wote about ur memories... coz more than anythg else memories of them make ppl special.... really nice o read a heartfelt article abt Sachin instead of the sloppy sychophantic ones.... :)
ReplyDeleteThanx yams...need your appreciation...:-)
ReplyDeletei admire sachin not because of his batting, but because he is a great human being. he is such a great player, but he never shows it off, like Dada, yuvraj or others.
ReplyDeletebut it is true for him that he is not a good finisher of the match. several times i saw him, he played very well but india lost the match. he got the man of the match. at that time i think he should reject the man of the match, because his team is lost the match and if he really sad for it, then he should not recieve it.