tHE LaST SAmUrAI

“If cricket is religion,

 Then Sachin is God”

Such is the introduction to the man, who has changed the game of cricket like no one ever before. Players have come and gone, but no one has scaled the heights this man has!!! Yes, he is none other than Sachin Tendulkar. He is the ultimate performer- the pivot around which the entire game of cricket revolves. Today no tournament is complete without him. He is like a magician weaving his magic over his stupefied audience. He is the life-blood of millions of cricketing fans all round the globe. From the reed-thin, long-haired Sachin the Boy to the matured Sachin the Master- the journey has been like a fairy tale.

Idolizing John McEnroe in his childhood, Sachin was never meant to come into the world of cricket. But things do happen and something happened for the good. India won the World Cup in 1983 and Sachin devoted himself to cricket. In fact, Sachin had joined the MRF Pace Academy to be a fast bowler, but fast bowling Guru Dennis Lillie, rejected him and asked him to focus on his batting. Do we need to thank him for that!!!!!!! I guess that’s a poor question. From the moment Sachin gripped the bat, he was destined for greatness. On 15^th November, 1989, on a foggy Karachi morning began the adventure- the era of greatness. “A baby-faced 16-year-old with one season of first-class cricket to his name”, as many dubbed him then, had a subdued start to his career, but it was not long before he was off the blocks. A century on a bouncy WACA track made Merv Hughes comment to Alan Border: "This little prick's going to get more runs than you, AB." And today that’s a reality!!!!!

The Little Master has every shot in the cricketing book- from the square uppercut to the ingenious paddle sweep (which he devised to counter the deadly ‘Warne’ leg breaks). His picture-perfect straight drive is a treat to the eyes. He is like a panther combining swiftness with calmness.  His batting is based on complete balance and poise while limiting unnecessary movements and flourishes. A ‘quiet’ stance, followed by a flash and it’s done. He is not a miser storing up runs but a millionaire spending them. When he dances down the track, it is not with fear but with a relish that scorns doubt. He has produced many breath-taking knocks, often bailing India out of trouble. Who can forget the back-to-back hundreds at Sharjah against a formidable Australian attack, or the 98 against Pakistan in the World Cup ?? Well, for that matter he almost single-handedly carried India to a World Cup triumph. To go with his stupendous batting, Sachin’s contribution with the ball and his sharp fielding is what makes him, arguably, the greatest living cricketer.

Be it in India colours or leading Mumbai Indians in the IPL, Sachin is very passionate about cricket. Remember, the animated Sachin after catching Inzamam inches of the ropes!! He is the very epitome of commitment, perseverance and dedication. The pride he takes in being an Indian is unscaleable. Never the pompous character, his humility, and the way he carries himself on and off the field, make him the most worshipped cricketer in the world.

Over the past few years, Sachin’s game has changed. Flamboyancy has given way to responsibility.However, many feel that the free bird has been shackled by the chains of passing time. With the advent of youngsters, his role in the team has changed, and he has beautifully adapted to it. But below par performances in the recent past, coupled with his injuries have given his critics plenty of ammunition. With senior cricketers retiring all around him, heated debates about his retirement have been on the cards. But having waded through more choppy waters before, Sachin takes the criticism with the braveness of a man who has seen more prosperous times.

Records: well there are only a very few lists that do not feature him at the top. Most capped ODI player, highest run-getter and that too by quite a distance, most number of centuries in both tests and one-dayers, maximum MOM awards in ODIs and what not…. This man has done it all. Awards have been at a premium for this man: Wisden Cricketer of the Year, Player of the Tournament in the 2003 WC, Padma Vibhushan, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna.… Perhaps, the only medal that is missing from his glorious cauldron is a World Cup triumph.  Today, he stands on the verge of the final frontier of his illustrious career. His body might be getting older, his reflexes weaker, but the fire still burns strong in him to take India to the zenith of the world of cricket. The 2011 cricket WC awaits him as we relive the sepia-tinted memories of Indian cricket’s halcyon years provided by this diminutive little Master-‘The Last Samurai’……..