Sachin Tendulkar: Legend of our times takes a bow

MUMBAI: An absolutely breathless Mumbai, and one believes the rest of the nation too, took a long lingering sigh of sadness when Sachin Tendulkar, at 10.48 am, was declared out, perhaps for the last time in his illustrious 24-year career.

Henceforth, it will be an India without another Sachin knock, another Tendulkar 100. Henceforth, cricket will lose some of its romance and a lot of its heartbeat. Henceforth, very few cherries would be played so deftly that they seduce fielders into a chase only to race across the ropes to unattainability. And that’s the reason why Sachin’s 74 runs in his farewell match would always be remembered with a surge of pride but also a tinge of despair. Just one last time, one last century, just 26 runs short, it could have been — that would be the longest ranging national regret.

That does not take away the vintage Sachin flare that marked this knock. Crafted with old-time wizardry, variety and flourish, it can well be India’s new 100, especially when Tendulkar brewed up old magic to ensure a handsome and stylish run at the crease. As most Tendulkar dismissals have gone, this one too was met with stunned pin drop silence from the crowd, a regretful wince from the master himself and a grateful applause breaking the eeriness of the moment as the legend walked back to the pavilion, into the dressing room and away from public gaze, perhaps forever.

                                                        (Author at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai)  

Unless Windies score well and compel India to bat their second innings, Sachin Tendulkar will not measure the crease ever again. There will never be another one from his bat and there never will be that collective bated breath held by millions on the go, across the world. Indeed, cricket will never be the same again. Tendulkar, however, will retire in satisfaction.

He leaves his team in safe hands. India under Dhoni, and two tons in his farewell match, none under his name. Pujara notching up a solid 100 just a few overs after Sachin’s departure and a young Rohit Sharma looking more and more like the master, scoring his second consecutive Test ton with a handsome six and in just 117 balls. 

Indeed, a relishing transit - from past to future, with a tinge of yesterday once more. So never mind if the stands started balding after SRT’s departure. They will fill up again, another place, another time, like they did on the same day 24 years ago - 15/11/89, in Karachi where Tendulkar had made his debut.  

Source; The Pioneer, November 16, 2013