Down falls the Tendulkar fanatic

 

Prior to the start of the Champions League T20 in South Africa, a most heartbreaking interview was telecasted on Times Now. Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, for the first time ever, opened up about his possible and imminent retirement in the future. “People don’t expect me to play forever”, said the Master Blaster, but this only exposed the fact to how unaware this man is of his fan following.

Sachin has been dodging questions of his retirement like he’s been dodging those bouncers all these years, but finally gave a concrete answer saying that he’d revaluate after hosting England later in the year. Sachin Tendulkar’s retirement will not only bring the close of an era in the game of cricket, but also end the most romantic love affair between player and game the world has ever witnessed.

For now, we’d see him battle it out for his IPL franchisee in South Africa, playing the best bowlers in the toughest of conditions, and how many times have we seen him come out on top in such situations?

Tendulkar’s batting has dipped in the past year or so. His quest for what seemed to be the unreachable hundredth ton bogged his game down, making him even more vulnerable. But the usual flashes of genius remained ingrained in the maestro’s game. Every now and then he’d hit a majestic drive through the covers, flipping you back to his early exploits when his hair still was curly and his face less tensed.

But yet, an indecisiveness stuck with the Master Blaster. His foot didn’t seem to decide whether to go towards the ball or stay back and wait for it, and by the time it did finally come to a conclusion, it was too late. Too often was he falling to balls he’d usually clobber back to Oval Maidan and cries of ‘Get Out Sachin’ began making its way into cricket stadiums.

Yes, he has indeed lost his touch. Age has finally caught up with him after a long and hard race, and Sachin seems to be giving up. He isn’t the glory of the team he used to be, nor is he the number one priority in opponent’s lists anymore. Sachin Tendulkar is well and truly past his prime.

I found myself setting everything aside during every one of Mumbai Indians’ match in the Champions League T20, just to watch Sachin bat. I sighed at every missed flick, I groaned everytime the ball hit his thigh pad, I winced everytime a magnificent looking shot was timed later than a Kingfisher flight, I shuddered everytime the ball went past his edge, and I turned off the television everytime he lost his wicket.

And then I realised that this could well be one of the last times we watch Sachin Tendulkar batting on our television screens. It isn’t pretty, it isn’t classic, but there’s always one shot he plays in every inning, even a failed one, which tells you that this is very much Sachin Tendulkar.

His time is ending. It’s time to cherish what’s remaining.