The last time I saw Sachin (God) play!

This article is one I am writing with a very nostalgic feeling. This article is my tribute to the Great SRT and the non stop entertainment he provided over the years. This is about the last time I saw him play live. And I might not be able to see him play again live, in lieu of his retirement.

I still remember the day, it was 15th November 2012. India was playing England at Ahmedabad in the first match of the four match Test series. We all know how it felt when India were outclassed by England in the Test series played in England.

India had suffered a whitewash. Many Indian fans saw this series as “The Revenge Series”. It was time and we wanted some payback. This meant that there was immense pressure on the “Indian Greats” to perform.

I reached the stadium early and was just in time to see the teams arriving. There, sitting in the bus, was the man himself. He looked so self composed and confident.

I got myself a Pavilion ticket. I was sitting there just next to the Indian dressing room. I saw the players walk on to the field for the practice session. Sachin was the last to come out and the crowd greeted him with the loudest roar you will ever hear. A spectator next to me said this,” There walks in the GOD of the cricket religion, there comes the BOSS!”. I kind of felt the same way.

India had opted to bat after winning the toss. With this news, the crowd started filling in. The stadium housed 22,000 that day, which is very high for a Test match.

Out came the England army, there tall pacers and well built players. And then came the Indian openers Sehwag and Gauti. The game started and the opening duo put India in a commanding position. Then at 134, the first wicket fell down, and Gauti was replaced by Cheteshwar Pujara, another promising young gun from the Ranji contingent.

Soon, Sehwag bullied his way to a century. And the crowd burst into mad appreciation. You couldn’t even hear yourself talking! But now this was the time for the legend to come in and bat.

I am just going to interrupt to tell you guys that I am currently getting goosebumps even while writing.

The entire crowd was on its feet. I, being in the pavilion, got the best view of the little master walking out to bat. It’s everyone’s dream to see Sachin play and it was coming true for many. It was almost forgotten that Sehwag had hit a century and he went off with little appreciation from the crowd. Well you can’t blame the crowd, can you?

He set his marker on the middle stump, did basic stretching and was ready to face the first ball. Swann ran in and the ball was brilliantly defended. And the entire crowd burst into applause and cheers. Soon, Sachin hit his first boundary and it was clear that he was being positive.

He was clearly the crowd puller and everyone was getting very excited. Just then, Sachin fell to a loose shot and had to make the unfortunate walk back. The crowd was shocked. The ground suddenly felt empty with the silence. I swear to God, it felt so terrible. It was as if a disaster had taken place. Nothing would have hurt so much at that time.

Well, India played well to win the match and then horribly in the next two matches to lose the series 2-1. But even when I look at my ticket, I still think about the moment he walked in, conquered the crowd and then walked, breaking a billion hearts. Still, at the end of the day he was loved the same and he was still the child prodigy who came and conquered hearts by the stellar performances over the years.

I still feel there wasn’t, there isn’t and there won’t be a better ambassador of the game.