Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar - Small man in stature, but has a persona thats larger than life. Came from a humble background, but gave us rich memories. Didn't know too much English, but took a sport introduced by the English and taught them a thing or two about the game!
Recently there have been articles in various newspapers, that this man is past his prime. His tennis elbow injury has taken its toll and he doesn't have the same edge to his batting like he used to. When a player has an injury and a slump, he's written of so easily by critics. Its understandable that these critics make a living by their so-called "critical analysis" of the game. They sometimes say things just to stir up controversy, because, all publicity is good publicity. If they had to say something to effect that "Sachin will bounce back stronger than ever" or "He's too good to let an injury peg him back", well, thats just something that's optimism and not "press" material!
I still remember the World Cup in England. India was playing minnows Kenya. It was a World Cup match nevertheless and it still had to be won! Sachin had just returned after the painful demise of his father. The fatigue was showing on his face. He scored a century in that game. When he raised his bat to acknowledge cheers from the crowd, he looked to the heavens almost saying "This one's for you dad". The pain was evident. The accomplishment - very real. The courage - admirable.
Don't know if he is past his prime. Don't know if he will ever score another century again. Don't know if his injury will force him to retire prematurely. But I do know that those tiny feet leave behind gargantuan shoes to fill and no matter what he scores for years to come...Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar, I salute you!
Wednesday, February 09, 2005
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3 comments:
Contrary to what you might expect from me, all said and done, he is still one of the best ones around. The talks about Sachin past his prime is all bullshit. He will surely come back strongly for India.
But at the same time, i haven't changed my opinion on Lara. Give me one man, one inning, one day - i will anyday take Lara.
/h
well well well...
i am not sure if u ever had a chance to see him bat...do that if u get the chance
when 20k ppl in the north stand alone in wankhede stadium are shouting on the top of their lungs "sachin sachin!!!"
the adrenaline is pumping and u feel as if u are watching something divine...believe me
in mumbai he can do no wrong...
in fact i am very tempted to write He instead of he...
like one very famous poster held in one of the cricket matches... i would say... "if CRICKET is a RELIGION...SACHIN is my GOD"
Harshil said one day, one innings - Lara. Its Sachin for me though!
Damle, I have been to Wankhede and I have seen Sachin hit that Straight Drive, that distinct CRACK! which reverberates in the ground, over the 50,000 screaming voices! I agree, he has to be one of the best to ever play the game - no exceptions to that statement!
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