Sachin Tendulkar off the field

Sachin Tendulkar

‘You need to see where your path is, rather than who is standing alongside the path, if you continue to walk on the path nobody will stop you. You’ve got to be focused on your job, there will be a lot of things which will attract you towards them, endorsements, people who would want you for your time and stuff but this is your game and whatever you are, is because of this game. Make sure you give a lot of respect to this game and keep your path clean and continue to walk on that. Those things will be taken care of.’

These were the words spoken to Harbajan Singh by Sachin Tendulkar after the former got 32 wickets against the Aussies. A true gentleman of the game, Sachin has always believed that nothing is above the game, and that has made him what he is today.

We all remember how Sachin turned down, without a second thought, a multimillion dollar endorsement deal for a liquour brand because of certain principles he follows. Another such example of his exemplary character was portrayed yesterday when he said that he was unhappy with the CAB officials going “overboard” with the celebrations. We are well acquainted with how the Kolkata government over-hypes its celebrations when it comes to cricket (the KKR celebration after winning IPL is a fine example), but the maestro conveyed that he is not above the game of cricket and that there are 14 more members of the Indian Cricket team with him.

Sachin remains a normal person, just like you and I. He works on his strength of character and personal values just as he works on his cover drive. He has been granted God-like status in our country, yet he chooses humility. That is what makes him a special person.

I recently saw Sachin’s first interview at the age of 16 and later the one shot a month ago. His philosophical side hasn’t changed a bit in spite of 24 years of intoxicating fame, money and stardom. Even after achieving almost everything in the game of cricket, he remains humble and grounded and expresses his gratitude for being blessed to have had the opportunity to play for the country.

Even after 24 years, Sachin is the same old 16-year-old, who said he would love to play the deadly pace attack of the West Indies, a kid who loves the game of cricket and developed that passion into professionalism and an unparalleled work ethic. He is an ordinary human being who, with his humility, modesty and depth of character, has earned the right to be called the Maestro, the God of Cricket – the right he never misused.

We salute you Sachin for what you were, what you are and what you will always be.