Before I start writing this review, I have a confession to make: I am a huge fan of Mr. Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar, and this review is very much in reaction to a lot of negative reviews on the man himself, on MS. I have perhaps supported this reviews with more emotion than facts, but I hope you can read it with an open mind…(even though I might be writing with a narrow one!)
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The spectacle called Sachin Tendulkar
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To me, there are few spectacles more delightful than watching Tendulkar batting in his prime. His exquisite stroke-play, his perfect balance, the ease with which he executes the shot- makes him a real ‘treat to the eye’.
Watching him taking Inzamam’s catch right on the boundary rope and hearing Sanjay Manjrekar say, “If he says its clean, it has to be!”; watching him answering Shoaib’s ‘plans for him’, with the blistering 98 run innings at the World Cup; watching him bamboozle Moin Khan with a googly on the last delivery of the day in a test match; watching him scampering for the ball in the recent test and getting there faster than his younger team-mate; watching him take on the England attack at Nagpur to almost make the dead match come alive…… all these are mere examples of the spectacle called Sachin Tendulkar And few spectacles are more spectacular!
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The big question- To retire or not to retire?
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Many say he has done his due, and should retire. Many say he is blocking a place in the playing eleven and should step down. Many say he is not the Tendulkar of yore, and should gracefully call it quits. Many say he has never deserved what he has gotten so far, and should have retired long ago. While some choose to take advantage of the situation, to bring up the long forgotten ‘Ganguly’ issue yet again! In short, the very same people who once worshipped the very existence of this man, now think he should step down- retire.
Easy as it might sound to say it, have you ever wondered what this would imply? It would perhaps mean an Indian ODI Cricket Team where Dravid would be the only senior guy around. Ever heard Dravid speaking of Tendulkar? Try it once. The chances are, that more often than not, you’ll hear him full of gratitude for the man whom he calls ‘an asset both on and off the field’, or ‘a guy with the perfect cricketing brain’. Consider the absence of that brain on the field, consider the difference it would make.
It would mean team where both the opening slots would go to two relatively inexperienced batsmen- the slots which would perhaps require the maximum experience to see away the new ball. It would perhaps mean something as disastrous as Dravid sacrificing himself yet again for the team’s benefit. Consider that.
It would mean a team without one of the most dedicated players ever. One that chose to give more than his hundred percent in all departments of the game- whether it be batting, bowling or fielding. Have you ever noticed the fact that while players like Laxman and Ganguly have always been criticized for their ‘old legs’ on the field, this man still makes us gasp at the amount of athleticism he seems to show match after match. Consider a guy who has unflinchingly given his all for the team for a long sixteen years, consider his undying passion and enthusiasm for the game.
It would mean a team without the much-needed fifth bowler- and a very intelligent one at that too. The amount of variety he possesses, and the enthusiasm with which he delivers every ball is a delight to the eye. His googlies, flippers and straight ‘uns have undoubtedly got India some of the most important breakthroughs in recent times. Consider that.
It would mean losing a true gentleman of the game. One who has always believed in playing the game in its true spirit. One who has amazingly steered clear of major controversies (other than the Ferrari issue), both on and off the field. One who has valued his family in the midst of all this and kept his personal life tightly under wraps. Have you ever heard of him having ‘lost his temper’ on field, or of some misbehavior? Just another example of the amazing temperament he possesses. Consider that.
It would mean a team that would lose one of the most fascinating and mesmerizing stroke players of the world. A player who has managed to evoke a sense of fear in the very best of bowlers in the world. A player who has built up an admiration society of the very best in the game, including the man himself- Sir Don Bradman. It would mean the end of an era- the era of an emperor- ruthless, yet enticing; merciless, yet graceful. The throne will lie vacant forever….. Consider that.
If you manage to consider all of the above, you might just realize that this man is beyond just a batsman, or for that matter a cricketer- he is a phenomena. A God to a billion people- and deservingly so. What you also realize when you do consider all this is, that losing this man would not mean losing a player- it would mean losing an irreplaceable member of the unit. A member who wants to give even more to the country he’s unfailingly served for sixteen long years. He believes he’s still got more to give. And considering his near-perfect assumptions, let’s just presume he is perfectly right about this one too!
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Let the others take over….
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I have said a lot about the man. Now I’ll let the people who’ve been a close part of his life and the game take over. And I’m sure you’ll agree they’ll know better than all of us put together.
Andrew Strauss (recently in the Indo-English test match series): “He is one of the few players that you hope would go on to score a big one, even if you want him to get out… He has that aura about himself that even Rahul Dravid does not possess.”
Naseer Hussein (during the recently concluded Indo-Pak series): “To know the genius of this man, you should sit in the England Dressing room when we are trying to figure ways to get this man out…. He has such few loop-holes!”
Shane Warne (in his famous statement): “I get nightmares of Sachin hitting me over my head for a six”If you hear that from (arguably) the best bowler in the world, you’re a fool not to agree!
Sir Don Bradman: “He seems to play like me!” Hmmm… you want more proof of his genius, after being compared by the best batsmen ever, to himself?!!
Just read the little note in the comments section before rating please!
