It all started with a bang at Wankhede and it is going to end at Wankhede - hopefully with a bang, last one from the master himself. What happened in between these two matches is what the world saw with an awe and that sums it all for him.
There are so many stories all around - newspaper and television interviews are all filled with good words for the little master but this piece is differently said.
Ever seen a mongoose fight a snake - that was what used to happen whenever he faced Shane Warne. Shane admits that he was tougher to bowl to than Brian Lara. According to him Sachin was at his best from 1994 to 2000. Shane has got Sachin quite a few times but it was Sachin who proved to be mongoose and clearly so.
Sir Don Bradman has himself admitted that Sachin bats much like him. These are not shallow words and will remain etched deep in the history of cricket.
Amitabh Bachchan has compared Sir Viv Richards with Sachin. Viv used to come onto the crease with lot of arrogance - arrogance that came with the ability and confidence. It was as though he continued from where he had stopped earlier on. Whereas the little master, no matter how many runs were behind him, no matter how much experience was behind him used to start from zero. Yeah, Sachin's every innings started from scratch, he learnt from every ball bowled to him. He liked to bat long and make every chance he got count.
I remember the way he played in his initial part of his career. He was a flamboyant batsman then too. His first ODI century came only in the year 1994 - his 79th ODI and with five years after his debut. That is where he matured as a player. I think, that is where he realized that every chance counts - hit it or miss it. After this point there was no looking back - it was gradually from here on that he earned the title of "little master".
Years passed by - and during this phase India was Tendulkar or Tendulkar was India. Indian team was evolving and Australians were the mighty rulers. His batting was treat to watch and India turned Sachin crazy!
In 2000s, Tendulkar continued his slaughter. Tests were dominated by very very special Laxman and Dravid, but Tendulkar never stopped counting his centuries. In World Cup 2003, he was highest scorer with 523 runs. India reached the finals, but lost terribly against the Australians.
World cup 2011 was another ball game for Tendulkar. Kissing the World Cup was the only thing he dreamt of from childhood and this was his last chance. He was the inspiration, he was the reason, he was everything that India wanted at that time. No doubt Yuvraj was the Man of the Series and Gautam Gambhir Man of the Match in the finals, but it was Tendulkar who motivated Yuvraj Singh, who was out of form and from Indian side for sometime before the World Cup. World Cup 2011 was all Sachin's - the team performed - but it was all for and because of the little master!
Sachin knew exactly when he was going to retire. He has chosen the right time as many say it. Had he retired after poor performance in World Cup 2007 - most probably India wouldn't have won in 2011. Twenty-four years of tireless learning is what distinguishes the master from the rest. Every ball is different and Sachin tries to learn something from every ball bowled to him - no matter if it was smashed out of the ground or if it hit his wickets. Sachin means learning, continuous learning! I am sure he will learn something from the last test which he is yet to play! Waiting to watch ...
Ever seen a mongoose fight a snake - that was what used to happen whenever he faced Shane Warne. Shane admits that he was tougher to bowl to than Brian Lara. According to him Sachin was at his best from 1994 to 2000. Shane has got Sachin quite a few times but it was Sachin who proved to be mongoose and clearly so.
Sir Don Bradman has himself admitted that Sachin bats much like him. These are not shallow words and will remain etched deep in the history of cricket.
Amitabh Bachchan has compared Sir Viv Richards with Sachin. Viv used to come onto the crease with lot of arrogance - arrogance that came with the ability and confidence. It was as though he continued from where he had stopped earlier on. Whereas the little master, no matter how many runs were behind him, no matter how much experience was behind him used to start from zero. Yeah, Sachin's every innings started from scratch, he learnt from every ball bowled to him. He liked to bat long and make every chance he got count.
I remember the way he played in his initial part of his career. He was a flamboyant batsman then too. His first ODI century came only in the year 1994 - his 79th ODI and with five years after his debut. That is where he matured as a player. I think, that is where he realized that every chance counts - hit it or miss it. After this point there was no looking back - it was gradually from here on that he earned the title of "little master".
Years passed by - and during this phase India was Tendulkar or Tendulkar was India. Indian team was evolving and Australians were the mighty rulers. His batting was treat to watch and India turned Sachin crazy!
In 2000s, Tendulkar continued his slaughter. Tests were dominated by very very special Laxman and Dravid, but Tendulkar never stopped counting his centuries. In World Cup 2003, he was highest scorer with 523 runs. India reached the finals, but lost terribly against the Australians.
World cup 2011 was another ball game for Tendulkar. Kissing the World Cup was the only thing he dreamt of from childhood and this was his last chance. He was the inspiration, he was the reason, he was everything that India wanted at that time. No doubt Yuvraj was the Man of the Series and Gautam Gambhir Man of the Match in the finals, but it was Tendulkar who motivated Yuvraj Singh, who was out of form and from Indian side for sometime before the World Cup. World Cup 2011 was all Sachin's - the team performed - but it was all for and because of the little master!Sachin knew exactly when he was going to retire. He has chosen the right time as many say it. Had he retired after poor performance in World Cup 2007 - most probably India wouldn't have won in 2011. Twenty-four years of tireless learning is what distinguishes the master from the rest. Every ball is different and Sachin tries to learn something from every ball bowled to him - no matter if it was smashed out of the ground or if it hit his wickets. Sachin means learning, continuous learning! I am sure he will learn something from the last test which he is yet to play! Waiting to watch ...
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