Dear Editor
The following words tell a story: “Tendulkar is the first sportsman to win the award and at 40, the youngest.” This is a line I took from the story headlined: “Sachin Tendulkar receives top India honour Bharat Ratna.”
Well this is quite a fitting way to celebrate the cricketing life achievement of India’s most loved cricketing son. He has truly lived up to and even surpassed expectations.
Tendulkar started his international career, both test and one-day, in the later part of 1989 and finished in the same period in 2013; this adds up to 24 years as a player and hardly has he ever been injured, gotten ill or underperformed. In fact, no bowler has ever conquered him, to the point, where he has even been considered a particular easy prey for any single one of them.
The excerpt from his profile on Cricinfo sums up a good reason for this being so: “Sachin Tendulkar has been the most complete batsman of his time, the most prolific run maker of all time, and arguably the biggest cricket icon the game has ever known. His batting was based on the purest principles: perfect balance, economy of movement, precision in stroke-making, and that intangible quality given only to geniuses – anticipation.”
Outside of his batting, he remains quite exemplary – humble, non-confrontational and easy-going. In 2001, he was handed a one-match ban, when he was accused and found guilty of ball-tampering, and this almost brought down the world’s wrath on his condemners.
The incident goes back to St Georges Park, Port Elizabeth, during the second Test match of India’s 2001 tour of South Africa. Mike Denness, as match referee, suspended Tendulkar for one game, as he thought that television cameras suggested that Tendulkar was involved in scuffing the seam of the cricket ball.
The incident escalated to allegations of racism, and ended up with Denness being barred from entering the venue of the third test match. The International Cricket Council (ICC) later cleared Tendulkar of ball tampering charges. This clearly shows what kind of individual the man is and his place in the annals of the game.
We should take note of the fact that the Bharat Ratna award is India’s highest civilian honour. Previous recipients include India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Mother Teresa, South African President Nelson Mandela and former Indian Prime Ministers Rajiv and Indira Gandhi. The man is definitely among the greats.
A poll was done recently to identify who were the 10 most popular Twitter celebs in India. And barring Sachin Tendulkar, all turned out to be Bollywood stars. See the magnitude of the man?
Whether or not he realises it, “(Tendulkar) will continue to bat for India, even though cricket has stopped (in his life).” He remains an inspiration and the statistics will continue to challenge all up-coming players.
Sincerely,
Anil Jaipaul