Indian Cricket
Sachin Nostalgia
By Ananth D
October 13 2013
Almost every cricket fan, and definitely every Indian cricket fan would be feeling a flood of nostalgic feelings after Tendulkar announced his immient retirement from Test cricket. Here is one such fan's thoughts on the Little Master
Let me begin the nostalgia parade....
What a player he was! The emphasis is in the 'was' as lately he's been making peace with Father Time, but if there was a batsman with a better 'sense' of how to pace innings/inventiveness, I've not seen it.
Imagine this, the guy was a legend averaging near mid 50s when the so called triumvirate of world class middle order players Dravid, Ganguly & Laxman made their debuts and he's outlived them all(even though the last 2 years were forced).
But who can blame someone so equipped, to think that his body would ever fail him, when his mind never did? For this I give Sachin a pass. His case is a little different from another peerless Indian cricketer, Kapil Dev. Kapil also hung on for a tad too long, but for the latter half of his career, he was mostly a shadow of his former half(atleast as a bowler), though it must be acknowledged he still was the best Indian paceman for all except the very last part of his career.
For Tendulkar, it took 22 years(till 2011, he was at various times, the best or the second best batsman in the Test side).
Since I'm only about a year senior to him, he was a link to childhood and high-school days, till now, which is nearly 3/4th of life so far, I barely remember my friends from 87-89, but do remember discussing about Tendulkar & Kambli's partnership & his incredible domestic debut.
His career can be divided into 6 distinct phases:
89-92 Boy Wonder
93-99 The Best Batsman in the World Period.
00-03 Less flash, more substance.
04-07 Elbow overshadowing everything.
08-11 Renaissance post surgery.
12-13 The Nadir.
The first decade of his career, was magical. He was such a free strokemaker and basically immune to pressure, that I felt he was being too harshly judged later in his career when he appeared too coy to steward India to more victories in run chases. I almost wish, Ganguly, Dravid & Laxman had not played for India! Maybe we'd have seen a more dramatic second half from Sachin Tendulkar!
We'll miss him. The brisk walk to the wicket, the skyward glance seeking benediction, the still head, the hard running, the punchy defensive shots, the ugly paddle, the upper cut, most of all, the enthusiasm he showed to be a pro for so long. There was a time when he walked in, all was well with the world. That feeling is no more and that's a shame.
So much to write, so little coherence as the bittersweet emotions sweep one!
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13/10/2013 08:08
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:11:25:22:25:25 by Birbal.
The post Sachin era will definitely feel very different... but Indian cricket will find a way to feel the void...
A similar void was felt in 1987 when Gavaskar announced his retirement...but then Tendulkar came along 2 years later...
There is no doubt in my mind that Tendulkar had the most perfect batting technique ever in cricketing history (that includes everything from his stance to stroke production). There is no shot he could not play with perfection. It's no surprise that Bradman said he batted like him...it was as much a compliment to Bradman as it was to Tendulkar.
The Tendulkar era may have been over a couple of years ago, but it is still hard and emotional for me to see him retire. His exploits will forever stay in the hearts and minds of all true cricket fans.
Congratulations Sachin, on an incredible career and for all the joy you have given to millions of cricket fans over the last 24 years.
India - World Cup winners 2011!!!
Champions Trophy winners 2013!!!
Congrats to Indian team and all Indian fans!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:10:18:19:15:40 by Max.
We are fortunate to have a player and a human being like this representing us.
Cricket is fortunate because he transformed the game from an unknown and penniless backwater sport to the money spinner it is now.
A billion people with no sporting culture and achievement expected him to perform on every single occasion on the world stage, yet criticized him for every imagined shortcoming. We sure didn't deserve him, but glad we got him.
The whole cricket world's eyes will be on Mumbai...and quite a few of them will be moist...
Tignor's point about letting "God"s be human is poignant...
24 needed with a bunny coming in at 11? No problem!
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2013:11:15:23:41:04 by ananthd.
Also liked that he pointed out that Tinku Vardharjan of the WSJ in his overgeneralizations about Indians seemed harsh...Yes, self-loathing is a pre-requisite to be a journalist of Indian origin in the West it seems...
Maybe because I come from the South where politician's & film stars have been worshipped(literally since there were temples erected for Kushbhoo, Namitha etc), it doesn't really bother me when Indians or anyone for that matter, idolise other people...
I'd actually love to idolize someone so as to worship them, that's a positive emotion(admiration) in my opinion(as long as it doesn't affect the worshipper's life in a bad way)...
So it may seem like excess, people adulation/worship of someone like Tendulkar. But aren't godly elements there in every person?
24 needed with a bunny coming in at 11? No problem!
The Namaste gesture is simply that...isn't it? recognizing the divine in the other person...
It was well prepared & well delivered....
I think a career retrospective is in order...
24 needed with a bunny coming in at 11? No problem!
24 years and 664 International matches is a LOT of retrospecting...
The one that stuck the most with me, was that his brother Ajit Tendulkar called to discuss his dismissal in the 1st innings, as there was a chance that he would bat again... that is the sort of preparation and professionalism people don't often appreciate...that goes into making an elite sportsperson.
Another excellent line was in all these years not once did his coach Achrekar Sir tell him "well played" as he thought it would make him complacent. Yet Achrekar Sir according to Sachin would ferry him around Mumbai on the back of his scooter to allow him to play 2 or 3 practice games a day... And Sachin saying emotionally that Sir now can you say "Well played" after my 24 year career?....
He started in times when Indian sports, country, and economy was at it's nadir.....and the tattered nation was looking for a hero.....when he appeared...whacking fiery Waqar for boundaries......and hitting Qadir for hattrick of sixes.....as a 16 year old ...rose in public imagination and became an icon.
and gave and otherwise allround depleted nation...... a reasons to feel esteemed
and he did stay at those lofty heights for all but last year or so.
I doubt if the human in Tendulkar can analyze the phenomenon he created.....he doesn't need to.
The Bahrat Ratna is a mark of respect to the hero he provided us........and the 100s of millions who religiously followed him
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:11:16:11:06:46 by shilpa.
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