20,000 people at the Chidambaram Stadium and millions of viewers all across the globe erupted as the little master paddle swept the ball to score the winning runs of the 1st test against England.
We saw another brilliant knock from Sachin Tendulkar. He is the 35 year old veteran of the game who has dominated the batting arena for over a decade and has held almost all batting world records. With 41 test centuries, 42 One Day centuries and close to 30,000 runs in International Cricket, Sachin has achieved what most can only dream about. The tally of his records and achievements can overwhelm anyone but the little master himself. For most he is the God of modern day cricket.
Sachin still remains a child and avid lover of the game of cricket. He is still the exuberant, enthusiastic kid that we saw 18 years back. The celebration today after the victory talks about the passion that is filled in this 35 year old. Punching his fist in the air, Sachin couldn’t and wouldn’t resist his emotions that have burst out every time the team has won. The excitement on his face after he became the 2nd youngest Test Century scorer in 1990 against England was the same as that we saw today.
Although 18 years have past, the delightfulness and the love for the game has never subsided in the Little Master. For a long time, he has held the beacon of competitiveness, teamwork and modesty. For years, he has made millions forget about their worries and has made thousands join him to celebrate Indian victory. Dileep Premachandran writes beautifully about the role that Tendulkar has played in the hearts of millions.
“Those that aren't Indian struggle to fathom exactly what Tendulkar means to so many millions, and it's doubtful whether even those that live here really comprehend just how much a part of the national consciousness he has become. He is such a unifying force, a personality capable of stirring the emotions in every nook and corner of a vast land.”
Today’s victory is something special and what I would call “perfect timing”. As the nation attempts to rise after the inhuman carnage in Mumbai, the Mumbai lad himself rose to the occasion and brought back smile on our faces.
4 comments:
Sachin is the best, there is no doubt about it. In my opinion he is the best cricketer ever including all past greats.
What made Bradman so loved and cherished was not that he was the most prolific scorer of his time but that in addition to dominating the opposition he brought joy to thousands in what was a very bad economic and political time. If you read articles about Bradman from that era they describe how people would forget their worries and travel hundreds of miles just to watch him play. I don't think any player today in any sport brings this sort of passion except Tendulkar. Sachin does this and more in spite of all the pressure and expectation that millions of people put on him. What makes him special is that in spite of being called a god he has his feet on the ground. India is a country where people are very impressionable, they put actors and sportsmen on a god like pedestal (Evident in so many elections). Sachin realizes that after all he is nothing more than a sportsperson and he acts that way. Never do you hear him giving opinions on matters he has limited knowledge about. Just because a person is a successful sportsman (or a celebrity) does not meant that he or she knows about every damn thing in the world.
Get me one sportsman who does this and I will accept that Sachin is not the best ever.
No Flash no heroics
Sachin did it the no-flash way. In all his innings rarely do you find him playing an innings that was beyond what the situation demanded. He does not go for heroics just for the sake of it. Right from his teenage days he has displayed maturity that is not present even in people double his age.
His childhood friend fell prey to these things. The amazing maturity beyond his age, the consistent hard work for more than 15 years (so many successful people become complacent after a time) the respect from his teammates and coaches ..all these things are very very rare.
I appreciate and agree with both the comments. It is admirable how such a successful person can keep his feet on the ground and not fly in the seventh heaven.
Harish - Very well said.
And I agree with Anonymous completely.
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