Sachin, Tusi Great Ho ...

India has been celebrating its world cup win for last more than twenty-four hours! And neither are the news channels tired of reporting stories related to the world cup win, nor are we Indians tired of watching it. Everyone just wants to follow the cricketers wherever they go and whatever they do; everyone wants to celebrate endlessly.

India is a country where cricket is passion, playing, watching or following the cricketers. After the win, it was all about dedicating the win, felicitation programs and reward time for our cricketers. The team was felicitated by the President of India, while rewards are pouring in from BCCI, various government bodies and large corporations. Our cricketers have made Indians proud and they certainly deserve it all. Along with this, there were discussions happening mainly comparing '83 vs. '11 ... win, captaincy, team and so on. But when it came to dedicating the win, all unanimously dedicated it to our great son of Mumbai, Sachin-paaji.

Yuvraj, Raina, Yousuf carrying Sachin on shoulders for the victory lap

Sachin's 21 years of service to Indian cricket may just be one reason for this unanimous dedication by team players. But this world cup probably being his last one of his career may just be another! Probably there may be more reasons to it. Possibly, his contribution in this world cup!?

Today, when I was watching one such television discussion, there was a question asked as to why there is so much of affection between Yuvraj and Sachin. Well, they may be friends, are together for so long, playing for India. But there is more to it than just this! When Yuvi was out of form and had been dropped from the team in 2007-08. It was Sachin who was in constant touch with him. Caring and ensuring to it that he practiced and kept himself fit to one day return to the one-day squad. But, I think, it wasn't just this as well. There is more to it!

I remember Sachin, in particular, was upset over India's early exit in 2007 World Cup. There was a movement going on against Sachin in the media, asking him to quit. This was something Sachin could not take. He had a dream of holding a World Cup in his hands. He had seen Kapil paaji do it, he wanted to do it himself. He wanted to win it for India! It was because of this dream that Sachin, in his childhood days, started playing cricket with season ball instead of a tennis ball. Sachin, in 2007, was seeing this dream being shattered.

Sachin's dream fulfilled.

Sachin decided to stick. He had made up his mind to play 2011 World Cup and win it. Cricket, being a team game, he wanted support. He wanted match winners in team India. Yuvi was one such match winner, he didn't want to lose. Sachin, as intelligent as he is, took personal interest in Yuvi, when the latter was dropped from the squad. Sachin used to call Yuvi daily; to ensure that Yuvi practiced, remained fit, made it to the team, get into form and win it for India, for Sachin. Little Master's off-field master stroke! From what was seen as a controversial selection before the world cup, Yuvi went on to became the man of the tournament! Had it not been for Sachin and his dream, we probably might not have won the cup ... who knows!

Sachin, tusi great ho ...