Anything to stop the Sachin Tendulkar wagon? :)

Well, Today is but a very fitting day to talk of the Master blaster , Isn't it? :) . Our Men in Blue are all set to give up their World No.1 position in a pompous manner . But , amidst the ruins , a man stood tall , if not by height,but by gameplay- Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar ,indeed.

Whenever I think of him, the first words that come to my mind are the ones Tony Greig spoke when the man lofted Damien Fleming for a six back over his head during the Sharjah Sandstorm .. He said " What a player! What a wonderful player!" .
20 long years. 30,000+ runs. 91 tons. Almost every single batting record in cricket in his kitty. Can a man achieve more?



Today, during telecast of the Indo-SA test, there was a very very interesting conversation between Laxman Sivaramakrishnan and Darryl Cullinan. They were arguing on who is better: Sachin Tendulkar or Ricky Ponting? It went on like this.
Siva: Thats no.46. 3 centuries in 3 tests. Looks like Sachin is running away from Ponting.
Cullinan: Well, Siva, I have a doubt: Who do you think is the better player considering the impact they have had on their teams?
Siva: Sachin !
Cullinan: Look at it. When Ponting got his 1st century, Sachin had 11. Since then , Sachin has got 35 and Ponting has got 38. Who do u think is better ?
Siva: *smiles* Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar.
Cullinan: Stop being objective. Why would you say so?
Siva: 20 years. No controversies. 30,000 runs and 91 tons. What more do u ask?
Cullinan: Keep the off field things away!
Siva: How can I? A cricketer is a gentleman's game and Sachin is the gentleman here :) . Talk of being a complete cricketer. Sachin can bowl well- has more than a 100 wickets to his credit. He fields quite well too.

That shut Cullinan's mouth up. Well, Nobody could have said it better. Well, In India, you don't ask who is the better , ever .. cos there is only one answer: Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar .

Sachin's five best knocks , ever :)

1. 136 vs Pakistan , Chennai, 1999 .

A bowling attack that boasts of Wasim, Waqar and Saqlain. Almost every reliable batsman back in the pavilion and the team is tottering at 80 for 5 on a fifth day pitch needing nearly another 200 to win. Sachin plays an innings built on sheer mental strength after he succumbs to back pain mid way. He has to stamp his back after each and every delivery , but as always, he stands tall . Though he couldn't take his team to victory , This has to be his best ever.

2. 140* vs Kenya , Bristol, 1999.

The world Cup is on . Sachin's father passes away and he has to return home. For once in life, he puts cricket behind . In his absence , India lose to Zimbabwe. His family urges him to go back and he obeys, as always. He wore thick black glasses to hide those tears when he came to England. Then, We witnessed an innings of complete dominance. Yes, it was Kenya , but the moment was one that can't ever be forgotten. When he completes his 100, he removes his helmet- looks up to the sky and says "Thank you dad" . Tears roll out from my eyes , and the one billion others watching.

3. 141 vs Australia , Sharjah, 1998

Well, this one better be left without descriptions :) . I'm sure anybody who knows the C of Cricket would know how huge this one was ..

4. 175 vs Australia, Hyderabad, 2009.

Sachin has completed 20 years of cricket. India needs a mammoth 350 to win to stay put in the series on home soil. The big names lose their way and Sachin is left alone. In Raina , he finds a partner . What followed is now history.

5. 103* vs England , Chennai, 2008

The nation is jolted by the attack on Mumbai. Touring England team leaves the country cutting short the ODI series and returns for a test series. Chasing in the fourth innings , India need a 370 to win .. and Sachin in the company of Yuvraj steers his team to one of Indias finest wins ever. This will be remembered for two things: One, He silenced his critics who spoke of his match winning abilities . Two, He dedicated it to the city of Mumbai and we know how important it was to lift the spirits of a country that was shaken by the pitiful attacks.

Like they say, If Cricket is a religion then Sachin is GOD . To me, He is GOD :)

-VIKAS PLAKKOT