Sachin made the impossible, possible

Sachin Tendulkar that batting genius from India who steered India to a historic victory over England in the First Test in Chennai dedicated his century to the families of victims of the insensible Mumbai attack by terrorists.

Before going on to describe and wax eloquent on Tendulkar’s dream century, let’s read what he told Reuters after the game interview. From my point of view, I look at it as an attack on India, not on Mumbai.

‘It is an attack on India and it should hurt every Indian, not only people from Mumbai. We are Indians and that is how I look at it. I would like to dedicate this hundred to all those people who have gone through such times.

That was a wonderful gesture by the champion batsman who holds the record for the most number of centuries in Test and one-day cricket and who is still batting at his best and showing form that could get him more runs under his batting belt before he calls it a day.

To England and captain Kevin Pietersen’s credit it must be said that they opened out the game when they made a declaration at 311 for nine setting India a seemingly impossible 387 on a wearing pitch for victory. That India achieved the target with 20.3 overs to spare was fantastic.

It is declarations such as this and the daring attempt by the Indian batsmen to give the challenge a go, that made this Test one of the most exciting to watch and one that must be emulated if the established game is to bring crowds flocking back to watch the five-day game.

Back to Tendulkar and it must be said that from the time he was knee high to holding a bat, former greats who watched him blossom and progress predicted a future that was going to be record-breaking.

Compared to the likes of Sir Donald Bradman, by the great Bradman himself, the little man’s stroke play is similar to that of the great Bradman in every aspect and little wonder then that batting records fall to the Indian with regularity.

Blessed with fine technique, a lovely stance, straight back lift and with the natural ability to get to the pitch of the ball before executing with superb timing, he is a batsman far ahead of his times.

While cricket is religion to the Indians, Tendulkar is God. There were times when his career was on the crossroads, with many baying for his retirement, especially by the former Australia captain Ian Chappel.

But he cocked a snook at his detractors by continuing like a true champion to get back into the game and the runs that have been cascading from his bat which has made him break records that stood for long and make it all his own.

When he toured Sri Lanka recently, cricket fans here were waiting to watch the champion unwind and put on show his repertoire of strokes that have brought him tons and tons of runs. But that he did not oblige his many fans here was just one of those things that would have disappointed his adoring fans.

As a batsman Tendulkar has carried all before him and still has the urge and thirst to trouble the scorers and run up big scores that would be difficult for other batsmen to equal or surpass. When he finally decides to put his bat side, he will remain the King of the Willow, which he richly deserves.

When the Indians attempted the highly impossible target of 387 for victory, not many would have given them a chance. But it was self belief and the will to achieve the impossible which won for India a Test that they will always remember.

When the Indians took strike in their victory chase it required a devastating innings to put them on the victory path. It is said - cometh the hour and cometh the man - and in this man came Virender Sehwag who played a blistering knock to knock the daylights off the England bowlers and set the platform for that victory.

Sehwag cained and caned the England bowlers firing a quick fire 83 off 68 balls with 11 beautifully struck fours and four massive sixes. Gambhir, Tendulkar, Laxman and Yuvraj Singh took the cue from Sehwag and relentlessly teased and attacked the opposing bowlers giving them no respite, until the ultimate victory was achieved in grand style.

As England captain Kevin Pietersen said it was disappointing to be on top of the Test for most of the time and then end up losers which was a bitter pill to swallow.

When Pietersen made a sporting declaration, it looked as though they could be the only winners with a draw being the next result. But India turned the Test on its head by securing an impossible victory which proves that those who dare, win.

Top of the world

With the Board of Control for Cricket in India, led by Shas Manohar and Vice President Lalith Modi, set to rule the cricket world and with Sharad Pawar set to be the next President of the International Cricket Council, the cricketers too, if this victory against England is an indication, then they should dominate the cricket scene very soon.

The BCCI which is the World Bank of Cricket and who had the Aussies on their knees during the previous tour of India ‘Down Under’, getting Cricket Australia and the ICC to bow to their wishes on the Harbhajan Singh and the umpiring controversies are set to be the sheiks of the cricket world.

The Lords of Cricket at Lord’s were moved to Dubai and the BCCI will call the shots from this Arab country. As for the cricketers they have been moulded into a champion outfit by former South African opener Garry Kirsten and have in the ranks cricketers who have the temperament and ability to deliver in every form of the game - Test, one-day and Twenty20 cricket.

And when that happens they would take over the mantle from Australia who dominated every form of the game for a very long time.