We celebrate Sachin Tendulkar’s birthday on 24th April every year. It is not a celebration of a birthday but of his era; the days of non-stop cricket, never-say-die attitude and of massive enthusiasm.
Happy Birthday Sachin Tendulkar, We salute you!
I saw Sachin Tendulkar for the first time in Cricket World Cup 1996 and found that shining glitter in his small eyes. I had the belief that he would do much better in coming years. The statistics says it all. He remained the back bone of Indian batting order for the next 24 years.
Sachin Tendulkar: The Enigma
In the late 90s, Tendulkar produced some of the fantastic knocks that were unimaginable at that time. Hopefully I don’t need to mention here that I am one of those fanatic fans of the master who used to switch off the Television set once he got out. I have no qualm in accepting that either. I am not the only one who did so. You will find many of his ardent fans who did the same.
The 1998 was the year of Sachin Tendulkar. He reached the pinnacle of his cricket career in that year. He hit so many wonderful knocks that they are still afresh in our minds. Australia was his favourite opponent. He loved scoring against them. How can you forget the two back-to-back centuries of the master in Sharjah in 1998 or even his ton against Australia with 7 towering sixes in the same year?
Similarly, his down the ground shots against Shane Warne in Chennai test were truly spectacular. Tendulkar’s 124* runs against Zimbabwe in a day night match was again a brilliant display of stroke play. He beat the Zimbabwean bowlers at his ease and remained unbeaten at the end of the match. Unfortunately I can’t give you the exact dates of these matches, but if you open the records book they will be there mentioned in bold letters.
The clamour for early retirement
“Do what you feel in your heart to be correct because you will be criticised either way”
The dictum reflects the harsh reality of human life. It doesn’t matter what you do or how well you do? But critics will always be there. The same case was with Sachin Tendulkar as well. Can we imagine asking Virat Kohli or even Rohit Sharma to take retirement after one or two bad ODI and Test series? When they are still in their 30s!
Sachin was not fortunate enough. Every time he got out early media and critics asked him to retire. It might seem laughable but few experts advised the veteran cricketer to hang his boots as early as 2001-2002. However, Sachin didn’t sway away. He kept his focus on the game and became more cautious, patient and smart. Sachin Tendulkar’s 155-run knock against South Africa in Bloemfontein in 2001 was the signal that a matured Tendulkar is coming soon.
Sachin, Sachin, Sachin!
“Every time a stone thrown at you, convert them into milestone ~ Sachin Tendulkar”
When this famous statement came from Sachin Tendulkar’s mouth he already became a God of Cricket. Yes, despite all the criticisms and bouquets, Sachin was someone who refused to leave the battle field so soon. Everybody was absolutely astonished when Tendulkar played a flawless knock of 200* against South Africa in Gwalior in 2010. He was the first cricketer in ODI history to hit a double ton. Even, the commentator witnessing the same had to compare the legend with a superman of this planet. Such is the class of Tendulkar.
He announced his retirement only in the late 2013, a couple of years after India’s triumph at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. You can still hear Sachin, Sachin, Sachin! Every time he sets his foot on any ground worldwide. I hope the younger generations will keep following Sachin’s ideology in real life too and accomplish their dreams with hard work, patience and perseverance. I am also wishing the master blaster a very Happy Birthday and lots of success in the coming days.
Tags: BCCI, Cricket, God Of Cricket, Happy Birthday, ICC, India, Master Blaster, Sachin Tendulkar, Sports
