So, I know this is coming in rather late, but I had to start somewhere :
I've written a couple of Sachin articles in the past for the website sachinist.com
Here's one of them titled: The Tendulkar impact on just another fan!
I was all of seven when I first saw Sachin on T.V. It was the 1996 World Cup match between India and West Indies. I had no idea what cricket was then. My dad explained the game to me, that day. I watched keenly as Sachin scored 70 runs and bagged the Man of the Match award. I don’t remember having missed a single innings of his ever since..
His straight drives just make me stare open-mouthed in awe! Every innings of Sachin is special to his fans, but if I were to pick a few Sachin favorites of mine – I’d probably pick his 155 v/s Aus in Chennai in 1998, the 98 v/s Pakistan in WC 2003, the knocks of 134 and 143 against Aus in 1998, the knocks of 117 and 91 in the VB series in Austalia in 2008, the 169 in Cape Town in 1997, the 186 and 163 v/s NZ and the 114 in Perth, which Sachin himself rates so highly. His double century on the 24th of Feb 2010 made me cry in joy!
The 136 v/s Pakistan in Chennai was such an amazing innings, that it hurts so much when I come to think that India actually lost that game. Sachin held through with a sore back, even as he writhed in pain. Is it fair to say that he is not a match winner just because he did not finish that game for India? Certainly not! What was Mongia thinking when he played that reckless shot when India was within striking distance? Why pick on Sachin always? What was Jadeja thinking when he went for that suicidal run in Hyderabad against Australia? Doesn’t he bat at a position where he is expected to be a “finisher”? Why call Sachin a bad finisher then? I hope these unfair naggers understand that Sachin is an “opener” for India in ODIs. Where were these people when India won against Pakistan in WC 2003? Where were they after the VB series finals in 2008? So is Sachin’s match winning capability judged based on how well or badly the lower middle order plays? How fair is that!
Yes, I am one of those die-hard fans who can do anything to see Sachin smile. But being a die-hard Sachin fan does not make me an irrational person. I do know that he is human, he can make mistakes and I have no problem with any fair criticism of his game. What stings and hurts is unfair nagging, and processions that target him just because he is loved and is popular! He is definitely not an ‘overrated’ batsman as these naggers like to believe! To these people, I’d just like to say – “Please get a life and channel your attention to more meaningful activities!”
There is so much one can learn from Sachin and I have been privileged to learn so much from observing the man! I have learnt to be hard working and sincere. During his school days, he used to religiously practise for 8 hours every day! Even today, he is a picture of concentration and dedication in the practice sessions at the nets. He is a perfect example of the fact that there are no shortcuts to success. A rare combination of talent and hard work, he is an inspiration to all of us. He is the reason why the Kohlis and the Gambhirs took to cricket! And not once has he taken success for granted! He is a simple, humble man who has always lived a principled life. Not much has been talked about the charitable deeds he has been involved in – be it his sponsoring of 200 orphaned kids every year or his initiatives towards educating girls in rural areas.
I was blessed to meet him in person on the 27th of March 2008 at the Taj Connemara, Chennai, thanks to my uncle, who’d arranged for this meeting. I had so much I wanted say to Sachin! The moment I’d been waiting for, for 12 long years had finally arrived! But when I eventually met him, I completely froze. The world around me came to a standstill. When he shook hands with me (twice), my hands went cold. Here was my dream, right in front of my eyes, but I was barely living it! I hope I get to meet him again, and I hope I don’t screw up the second time around at least! Just to brag more – he replied twice to me on twitter.
Somehow words fail me when I try to describe what Sachin means to me. To me, his smile is the most endearing smile in the whole world. His knocks have lifted up my spirits during my darkest days. I secretly call him “Sachin Bhaiya”. I look up to him like an elder brother. His smile just makes me want to forget all my worries and believe that all izz well indeed. Thank you Sachin for lighting up my world and that of a billion others on countless occasions. Thank you for being my hero! God bless you all with the happiness that there is in this world! Love you till the end of time!
