Nov 02, 2002 05:47 PM
5590 Views
(Updated Nov 02, 2002 05:47 PM)
Wah Wah. I think I echo the sentiments of the whole country and millions of Sachin fans around the world, for today we saw a masterful innings by the Little Master that I hope will shut the doubting Thomases of the world. In the last couple of days I have seen articles stating everything from Sachin getting OLD to him not liking the fact that Sehwag has usurped the spotlight (as if!!!). His 31st century was beautiful to watch and the timing, when India desperately needed someone to play a long innings Sachin stepped in and once again has pulled India out of quite a mess (this I believe is a complaint against him, that he never plays a match winning or match saving innings. WHAT NONSENSE).
Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar burst onto the cricketing arena around 13 yrs back now, and ever since that moment I have been a die hard fan of his, to the extent that if Sachin gets out early in the match I shut of the T.V and decide to check out other methods of spending my time. I have watched all his centuries and I have to say that if Michael Schumacher epitomizes F1 racing then Sachin surely represents the best that modern day cricket can offer.
There was a time when commentators used to say that the difference between Sachin and Lara was that Lara valued his wicket and was hungry for runs, well is there anyone who can say that this is true even today? I seriously doubt it.
The thing that makes Sachin such a great player is that he is a gentleman not just on the field (not too many of them playing cricket today though!!) but he is a gentleman off the field as well, and that makes him a role model in all respects.
There’s a true story I want to share with you’ll, a couple of years back a ‘pan-wallah’ I knew took a poster of Sachin and went to a first class match in which Sachin was playing. He waited in the players lobby for 2 days being held back each time by the security. Finally on the end of play of the 2nd day he saw Sachin and Kambli walking into the players room, he asked the security guard if he could get Sachin’s autograph but was refused, in desperation he yelled Sachin’s name (Kambli walked off), but believe it or not Sachin turned around came and spoke with the fellow, on learning that he’d been waiting to talk to him since morning and had nothing to eat he invited the fellow to the players locker room, had tea with him and spoke with him for near an hour, this inspite of the fact that Sachin had just finished a day in the field, and then had the entire team sign the poster for him. The ‘pan-wallah’ has this poster framed and set in his shop.
That my friends is what differentiates a great player and a truly great human.
He is my favourite player of all time and I could find no better time to write this review on him (one which I have wanted to write since I wrote my first review), then after he scripted another sparkling century, one which could possibly bring India a victory in the 3rd and final test match against the Windies.
