Even gods retire but on time

After more than two decades of servitude to the most difficult nation in the world, after intense battles with the world’s finest at the sport and after the most mind-boggling destruction of long held records, Sachin Tendulkar, the little master, the God of cricket, the re-definer, decides to step down and end his dramatically decorated career. But one finds it hard to overlook a certain factor, is it not extremely late?

I sincerely implore you my reader to read this with an open mind, it is far from a rigid statement; it is more a liquid opinion which I urge you to play with. Consider this an afternoon gossip to tease ourselves with.

I am an ardent supporter and follower of Sachin, he has given me moments which can be cherished and re-cherished for eternity. However, I have always felt his postponement of retirement was a sort of greed which the entire world digested out of pure respect for the man. When I reach to the depths of my memory, I can recall all great men retiring with a sort of humility, a kind of submitting grace. To script your retirement can be easily forgiven, but to script it by altering external factors introduces great ugliness to the entire situation. I say this because I believe the circumstances regarding the series against the West Indies feel like they have been shaped for Sachin. In my opinion, he is two years late for retirement. After the introduction of the controversial however boon bringing Indian Premier League, we saw for ourselves an unimaginable exposure of talent. There is and always will be a surplus of cricketing excellence in this country, the passion and fire for the sport burns here in the sub-continent. However, it can be safely said that because of Tendulkar, many players in the last couple of years were denied the opportunity to represent the team; which most inevitably would have wounded their confidence and also lit up pessimism in them; and that kind of negative attitude always urges one to give up soon. I will be honest, for the last two years we have never needed Sachin. True his presence delights and excites us all, but he has been more of a cosmetic addition to the side than a necessary one.

A true sportsman sees upcoming talent and makes way for it. He does not stick around to stylishly keep kissing new records and flaunting himself and his achievements. Sachin is a humble man, yes I know that is what you must be thinking but deep inside, I believe he has been greedy and should have left the field quite a long time back. When you understand the fact that you are a hindrance to a team and unnecessary to it, real greatness will tickle you to execute the right action and leave immediately. True greatness is not defined by sheer technical brilliance and your way with the game, it is defined by right choices.

I love you Mr. Tendulkar but I must tell you that I am not grieved but immensely elated that you are retiring. It only sorrows me to see that your departure has been scripted like a Bollywood movie instead of a graceful exit of a sportsman.

The cricketing world and the nation will miss your elegant straight drive, your delicate flicks and your arrogant cuts, oh I will miss them all. I wish you well with the rest of your years. I will end not on a negative note but on a very diplomatic one. Perhaps my childishly comparing mind will hold M S Dhoni high above you as an Indian sportsman, but your technique will remain unmatched and the lovely style and elegance that you introduced to the game will remain etched onto the hearts of men until the end of time. Godspeed to you Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar! You have achieved that rarest of rarities, to be loved by more than a billion people and worshipped by them! Even Jesus Christ merited not such a dazzling number of followers.