Sachin Tendulkar - The Deity Indian

“I would play for India once ‘HE’ retires,” the young aspiring cricketer in me told my parents some 15 years back. The cricket fanatic in me was born, and grew up watching the little man yielding ton after ton over the years. Not just me, but the entire nation stood by their television sets, applauding the finesse of the man in picture. We never realized that while we were cherishing the moments he gave to Indian cricket, while we hoped to see him bounce back after every slump in the form he saw, age was catching up with him. He served a source of inspiration, so strong and for such a long span of time that even his current teammates grew up wanting to be a “Sachin” some fine day.

What makes him so special that a nation with over one billion people bows down with respect every time the little man walks on to the field, padded up? Is it just the talent that this man possesses, that makes him so special, or is it the character, the poise, the innocence with which he has led a vastly celebrated life in the past two decades?

The humble 5 feet something guy knows how to keep his head down even when he is literally worshipped by cricket fanatics in all parts of the country. The fame and status he enjoys have never seemed like taking a toll on his performance. It’s his humbleness and honesty that stand tall and make him what he is today. We might have had better sportsmen in history, definitely! But the character and persistence to perform takes him miles ahead.

It’s not that he’s picture perfect. The form slumps and recurrent injuries have often made him a debatable topic for the critics. What makes him special is the ability to bounce back and to overcome the hurdles. The fact that he still plays domestic cricket even after hanging up his ODI boots shows his mental vigour, passion to perform and his love for the game.

Not all of us can be there in the middle performing for the team, but all we can do is to try and be Sachins at our own workplaces. Life indeed will be much more celebrated then.

The ‘jersey number 10’ will always be remembered and missed by Indian cricket, and even more by his faithful pack of fans all over the globe in the post-Sachin era!!

Adios Sir. Thank you for the endless goosebumps and the revering moments, over the decades.