I don't think I will be able to follow cricket with passion & intensity anymore. I learnt those two words more through you. Started understanding the game when you had just started at international level and continued to live it thereafter. Shouldn't I feel proud to have lived era of yours? So if someone younger to me points out to my age, I would feel never embarrassed, rather so proud. Easily i must have experienced more the divine joy you delivered with your bat straight into hearts, crossing boundaries across region, religion & countries.
On a day at age 7, I tried enacting Krish Srikant in our backyard and a friend came with this new name unknown to me, Sachin Tendulkar. That was our first meet and you became the one forever for me.
I remember following cricket on radio when Indian team is to tour outside or there were power cuts. Trying to understand English commentary with basic words, heart always shifted to ears to keep listening your mention. Your presence at the crease kept us feel alive through those times. I still remember mistaking Sanjay Manjrekar at the crease in a 1995 match for you and suddenly feeling a more life in myself. You were such a magic. You were the reason I followed sportspages, print magazines like "Shatkaar" (sixer in Marathi) and "Criket Samrat", never remember reading academic books with that interest. I still have the writing pad i used for school exams, with one of your pasted cutout from 1996 world cup, hitting a sixer. And I religiously believe it must be a reason I scored well at exam's pitch.
As we both grew, live telecasts became regular on TV and our bond got stronger. Started cutting meals short in lunch breaks and dared late entries in classes, when your were batting. Pleaded people to let us watch matches in their homes when ESPN, Star Sports was a luxury. Cricket match on a holiday induced a festival feeling. Became good boy on a particular day to clear all the possible obstacles from parents. Everytime you scored, provoked us to pick up the bat for a while. The game became an addiction, courtesy you.
I was sitting on the road when the 1998 desert storm came in Sharjah. The boy gang from our lane had managed to arrange a TV & a table outside as we felt something special coming and you made all our efforts worth. Yes I agreed more than Shane Warne, those sixes can be felt even after life. I can revisit the pain of you being stumped on 91 against Australia in 1996 WC match, but had to appreciate the wide delivery by a smarter Mark Waugh.
You faced some of the greatest of bowlers till date and that makes your records special than any would be ones in future. I feel privileged to have witnessed your battles against Mcgraths, Akrams & Donalds of the world. You were the saviour against mighty South Africa in Cronje's era, who always relied on the incredible Jonty to block your square area, but you still dominated. Jonty had to produce miracles to dismiss you. Remember that sliding catch, I still believe he had grounded. You seemed like a brave Indian soldier when fighting against Pakistan in 1999 Chennai Test. Your match saving maiden century against England at Old Trafford, 97 against Pakistan in 2003 WC, a warrior's 175 against Aus in 2009 at Hyderabad, winning performances in both final matches of CB series in 2008. We practiced the word "optimism" until you were not out on the field.
Your performance on field flowed into us to provoke a different confidence & positive attitude. Though we lived different lives, we felt resonating with you many times. Your success made us feel proud & happy, while we were pushed into sorrows when you failed. Could take a lot from you as a performer as well as a person into our lives. No one has given what you have given nor one will or can. Even in your last inning, your summarized with all your trademark shots. Right from the straight, cover & on drives, square cut, leg glance & the paddle sweep you gave birth to.
I can spend the time ahead with beautiful memories you created. Today when you have hanged your boots, I shed tears inside to realise that the quota of those wonderful moments is over. But I can proudly relive what you gave and continue to celebrate, because you will keep playing in my ears, eyes & heart.
Thank you dear SACHIN. For me, you are NOT OUT forever.
On a day at age 7, I tried enacting Krish Srikant in our backyard and a friend came with this new name unknown to me, Sachin Tendulkar. That was our first meet and you became the one forever for me.
I remember following cricket on radio when Indian team is to tour outside or there were power cuts. Trying to understand English commentary with basic words, heart always shifted to ears to keep listening your mention. Your presence at the crease kept us feel alive through those times. I still remember mistaking Sanjay Manjrekar at the crease in a 1995 match for you and suddenly feeling a more life in myself. You were such a magic. You were the reason I followed sportspages, print magazines like "Shatkaar" (sixer in Marathi) and "Criket Samrat", never remember reading academic books with that interest. I still have the writing pad i used for school exams, with one of your pasted cutout from 1996 world cup, hitting a sixer. And I religiously believe it must be a reason I scored well at exam's pitch.
As we both grew, live telecasts became regular on TV and our bond got stronger. Started cutting meals short in lunch breaks and dared late entries in classes, when your were batting. Pleaded people to let us watch matches in their homes when ESPN, Star Sports was a luxury. Cricket match on a holiday induced a festival feeling. Became good boy on a particular day to clear all the possible obstacles from parents. Everytime you scored, provoked us to pick up the bat for a while. The game became an addiction, courtesy you.
I was sitting on the road when the 1998 desert storm came in Sharjah. The boy gang from our lane had managed to arrange a TV & a table outside as we felt something special coming and you made all our efforts worth. Yes I agreed more than Shane Warne, those sixes can be felt even after life. I can revisit the pain of you being stumped on 91 against Australia in 1996 WC match, but had to appreciate the wide delivery by a smarter Mark Waugh.
You faced some of the greatest of bowlers till date and that makes your records special than any would be ones in future. I feel privileged to have witnessed your battles against Mcgraths, Akrams & Donalds of the world. You were the saviour against mighty South Africa in Cronje's era, who always relied on the incredible Jonty to block your square area, but you still dominated. Jonty had to produce miracles to dismiss you. Remember that sliding catch, I still believe he had grounded. You seemed like a brave Indian soldier when fighting against Pakistan in 1999 Chennai Test. Your match saving maiden century against England at Old Trafford, 97 against Pakistan in 2003 WC, a warrior's 175 against Aus in 2009 at Hyderabad, winning performances in both final matches of CB series in 2008. We practiced the word "optimism" until you were not out on the field.
Your performance on field flowed into us to provoke a different confidence & positive attitude. Though we lived different lives, we felt resonating with you many times. Your success made us feel proud & happy, while we were pushed into sorrows when you failed. Could take a lot from you as a performer as well as a person into our lives. No one has given what you have given nor one will or can. Even in your last inning, your summarized with all your trademark shots. Right from the straight, cover & on drives, square cut, leg glance & the paddle sweep you gave birth to.
I can spend the time ahead with beautiful memories you created. Today when you have hanged your boots, I shed tears inside to realise that the quota of those wonderful moments is over. But I can proudly relive what you gave and continue to celebrate, because you will keep playing in my ears, eyes & heart.
Thank you dear SACHIN. For me, you are NOT OUT forever.
