Two Star Cricketers of Present Generation ‘say Goodbye’-Sachin Tendulkar

By A.C. de Silva

Two of the star cricketers of the present generation Indian star Sachin Tendulkar and Sri Lanka’s ‘King-pin’ Kumar Sangakkara has taken permanent leave from the ‘firing’ line of first-class cricket.

India’s batting hero Sachin Tendulkar (40 years) has retired from all forms of cricket after making his 200th Test appearance in the Test against West Indies. But this was something else – a wall of sound, a West Indian guard of honour and a sense of expectation that a few sporting events could have witnessed.

Sachin Tendulkar becomes the first sportsperson to be conferred the ‘Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, an Indian Prime Minister’s Office announcement which was made hours after Tendulkar retired from International cricket.

My cricket career started when I was 11. The turning point of my career was when my brother (Ajit) took me to Achrekar sir. I was extremely delighted to see him up in the stands. Normally he sits in front of the television and he watches all the games that I play. When I was 11/12, those were the days when I used to hop back on his scooter and play a couple of practice matches a day. The first half the innings I would be batting at Shivaji Park, the second half, at some other match in Azad Maidan. He would take me all over Mumbai to make sure I got match practice.

Coach can felicitate me now - Tendulkar

On a lighter note, in the last 29 years, sir has never ever said ‘well played’ to me because he thought I would get complacent and I would stop working hard. May be he can push his luck and wish me now, well done on my career, because there are no more matches, sir, in my life. I will be witnessing cricket, and cricket will always stay in my heart, but you have had an immense contribution in my life, so thank you very much.

Sunil Gavaskar, legendary former India opener: “It is hard to imagine any player in the history of the game who combines classical technique with raw aggression like the little champion does. There is not a single shot he cannot play.”

Muttiah Muralitharan, Test cricket’s leading wicket-taker: “It’s the right time for him to retire – after 200 Tests. Pressure for him has always been more than for anyone else because people expected him to score a century every time he went out to bat.”

Tendulkar played 24 years for India

In the last 24 years that I have played for India I have made new friends, and before that I have had a terrific contribution. As and when I have called them to come and bowl to me at the nets, they have left their work aside to come and help me. Be it joining me on holidays and having discussions with me on cricket, or how I was a little stressed and wanting to find a solution so I can perform better.

All those moments my friends were with me. Even for when I was injured, I would wake up in the morning because I couldn’t sleep and thought that my career was over because of injuries, that is when my friends have woken up at 3 o’clock in the morning to drive with me and make me believe that my career was not over. Life would be incomplete without all those friends. Thanks for being there for me.

India legend Sachin Tendulkar said it was “hard to believe a wonderful journey” had ended as he bowed out of international cricket in Mumbai.

In his 200th Test match, the 40-year-old batting icon’s final action came 24 years and one day after his Test debut.

He bowled two overs but did not bat again as West Indies capitulated for 187 to lose by an innings and 126 runs.

Guard of honour for Tendulkar

India players formed a guard of honour for Tendulkar, who was presented with a host of awards in a lavish ceremony.

Revered throughout his distinguished career, a clearly emotional Tendulkar told a packed Wankhede Stadium: “My life between 22 yards for (more than) 22 years. It’s hard to believe that wonderful journey is coming to end.

“It’s getting a little difficult to talk but I’ll manage. The most important person in my life, and I’ve missed him a lot since he passed away in 1999, is my father, without his guidance I don’t think I’d be standing in front of you”.

Tendulkar, who was dismissed for 74 in what proved to be his final Test innings that Friday, addressed his devoted fans in an on-field speech exceeding 20 minutes.

Tendulkar fact file

1973: Born in Bombay (now Mumbai) on 24 April.
1989: Makes Test debut for India against Pakistan, aged 16.
1990: Scores first Test century against England.
1998: Scores first double century for Mumbai against Australia.
2005: Passes Sunil Gavaskar’s record of highest number of Test centuries.

2008: Becomes the highest run-scorer in Test cricket, passing West Indies’ Brian Lara’s mark of 11,953.

2010: Becomes the most capped player in Test history.
2011: Wins the World Cup with India.
2012: Scores his 100th international century in ODI v Bangladesh in March; retires from ODIs in December.
2013: Played his 200th and final Test on his home ground in Mumbai.