To The Master...

It’s been over two weeks since the test match at Wankhede stadium got over. The only reason that game meant something was that it was one man’s 200^th, and the last appearance for his country.

That man... a 5'6'' Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar. This post is dedicated to the master. I know it’s a bit late, but hey, he was doing his job and I had do mine, that being my semester exams! 
Anyways, as they say, “better late than never.”

I still maintain that he was not my favourite cricketer, that spot was always for Rahul Dravid, but that day, 16^th November’2013 taught me a lot of things. It taught me what one man meant to a billion people, it taught me what emotions are, it taught me what being “humble” actually means, but most importantly, it taught me what greatness means.

Listening to his speech, seeing the moist eyes almost everywhere.... it seemed a bit surreal at first. But why did Tendulkar mean so much to the world and Indians in particular? The answer was pretty easy. Talk to your father and uncles about their cricket memories, and they will mention Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Shastri, Amarnath etc. Talk to teenagers and they will go gaga over Kohli, Dhawan , Yuvraj and Dhoni. Talk to 20 year olds and they will cherish the fact that they witnessed the Fab 5 of Indian Cricket for almost a decade. But one fact thing that will resonate with all three generations is Sachin Tendulkar.

He was a man of generations, a master with the bat in his hand, just like Sir Don Bradman. But none of us saw Bradman’s last match, but here we had a chance to witness the end of a 24 year old magnificent journey. It couldn’t be missed. That's why he was special, the occasion was special. 

The world will remember him for the thousands of runs he scored, the hundred 100s he got, the innings he played, but I will remember him for some different reasons.

He thanked everyone in his speech, right from the relatives with whom he stayed for a while as a kid to his manger to the photographers.
This showed how much he VALUED the ones in his life.
This is what I will remember him for.

He bowed down and touched the pitch at the end of the game in respect. That showed his HUMBLENESS, the fact that he knew he was never bigger than those 22 yards, and that this very piece of land made him what he is.
This is what I will remember him for.

But most importantly, he taught me what GREATNESS means. It’s not about the success you get, not about the fame and money, not about the numbers, but it’s about your dedication to your work. 24 years is not a short time by any means. Just for example, my sister was 3 years old when Sachin started playing. She grew up, completed her education, got her degree, earned a good job and is married now, but that man was still playing!

We get bored after a week or so in school, a month in college and at times get fed up with our job. But that man stood committed to his “job” for over two decades. That’s what made him great in my eyes. The fact that he loved, respected and felt honoured doing what he did and gave in his best every single time. That’s what you inspire me to achieve Mr. Tendulkar, you have inspired me to achieve greatness.

The defining moment was not the last West Indies wicket that fell, it was when on a sports show the next day, he was referred to as “FORMER” India cricketer. Though my record of not crying since 7^th standard is still intact, his retirement filled me with some novel emotions.
I didn't feel like this when I saw Dravid’s retirement press conference, but may be that’s because it was a mere conference, none of us knew on 28^th January’2012 that we had already seen the last of Rahul Dravid for India. Had such a thing happened that time, I’m pretty sure my “no tears” record would have been in danger.

To some up, I would recall my mother’s lines when India were struggling against Pakistan in the ASIA CUP match in 2004-05, 
“Abhi Tendulkar Hai Ki Gaya?”


Finally, after 24 years, Tendulkar gaya....

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Thank you Master!!