On the fifth ball of the first over after drinks, in the morning session of the second day of the second and final test match in the bilateral series between India and the West Indies ... it happened ... it happened and just like that a void was created in the soul of every passionate Indian cricket fan around the world.
Sachin Tendulkar was dismissed for the last time in his marathon career ...
It didn't matter anymore that his wicket was prized by a non-descript part-time off spinner who kept spewing garbage before and after that delivery. It didn't matter that the dismissal itself required a sheer stroke of brilliance from the fielder who managed to hold on to the catch. It didn't even matter that two young cricketers went on to hit impressive centuries and put India in a winning position by the end of the day.
The spontaneous outburst of emotion from the crowd, from Sachin's mother who was watching her son play live the very first time and even from Sunil Gavaskar who was in the commentary box at that juncture, overshadowed every other aspect of the game.
This farce of a bilateral series has been more about the emotional upheaval surrounding the retirement of India's greatest cricketer. As a colleague quipped, its more like a homecoming game. More about a celebration rather than a contest. And while some entities have gone beyond the ridiculous in expressing themselves, the general feeling amongst the masses who have literally grown up with Sachin Tendulkar in the last 24 years has been a mixture of love, despondence and the sense of inevitability.
It's the last day of college, the last email before a job change, the last ride to the airport before a permanent move ... all over again ... only much, much worse!
Records aside, this man has managed to unite the country time and again. His reputation was untarnished by the match fixing scandal that disgraced several. He helped groom countless cricketers who were fortunate to share the dressing room with him. He has conducted himself with utmost grace, humility and propriety unlike any other celebrity in the country. He remains a role model to millions. His seniors, his peers and even his rivals all around the world have acknowledged his skill, character and work ethic on and off the field.
If he isn't God, he is pretty darn close to being one! ... A yuga (epoch) has come to an end.
A dear friend of mine wrote the following lines which will resonate with every Sachin Tendulkar fan.
Never again will I be so excited, on the eve of a match of Cricket…
Never again will expectations rise so high at the fall of the second wicket.
Never again will I see you glance at the sun as you walk out to the middle…
Never again will I see you shadow practice strokes with your famous fiddle.
Never again will I begin to pray as you adjust your gear…
Never again will your mere presence fill the bowler’s mind with a cold fear.
Never again will your eyes scan the field as play begins to roll…
Never again will I hold my breath as the bowler runs in to bowl.
Never again will every run be celebrated with a loud cheer and roar…
Never again will the very first run, trigger thoughts of “Only 99 more!”
Never again will a straight drive look so majestic, or a cover drive look so pure…
Never again will technique seem sound, or footwork seem so sure.
Never again will your milestones make me heave a big huge sigh…
Never again will I see you look heavenwards with your arms held high.
Never again will your innings seem so short even after hours of magic you weave…
Never again will I lose interest in a match right after you leave.
Never again will we expect miracles when the ball is thrown to you…
Never again will we be left guessing by the concoction of spin bowling that you brew.
Never again will we see that curly head, or the twisting motion of your arm…
Never again will we see you smile at a wicket fall with a schoolboy-ish charm.
Never again will the country come to a standstill for someone so distant yet so near…
Never again will someone’s last outing leave us all with a tear.
You will be missed sorely; Cricket will never be the same…
You will remain the greatest to walk the field, an unforgettable name.
Thank you for all the memories, I will cherish every moment I could see…
Neither you nor anyone else will ever know what you have meant to me!
- Yash Vyavaharkar November 15, 2013
Post Script
The Government of India has conferred upon him the country's highest civilian award - The Bharat Ratna - he is the first sportsperson to get this award. It is a fitting tribute to the Master Blaster! #ThankYouSachin
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