Goodbye Sachin... Thank you God...

As an ardent Sachin Tendulkar fan, I have lived through many delightful moments over the last 20 years or so. I started following cricket when Tendulkar was already four years into international cricket. I still remember the evening with my family watching the Hero Cup Semi-final match between India and South Africa. This was 1993, and South Africa had just come back to mainstream cricket after the apartheid, while India was taking baby steps towards becoming a cricketing super power (at least off-field!). The match was poised for a tantalizing finish, and South Africa needed 5 or 6 odd runs from 6 balls to complete a memorable victory. No Indian bowler had the courage to pick up the ball from the Indian Captain. It was precisely then, when Tendulkar stepped up, and almost snatched the ball from Azhar (Indian Skipper), and the rest as they say is history. India had won the match. And I started to admire Tendulkar… I had become a fan of the legend. Tendulkar had already won millions of admirers by then. Though, I did not know then that the man I just watched bowl the last over was already a phenomenon in cricketing circles, and was touted as the next big thing in cricket.

A lot has been written about him, a lot has been analyzed about his cricketing skills and techniques (perhaps the most analyzed cricketer ever). Nevertheless, as the great man bows out of the game, which he loves so dearly, I am tempted to reminisce Tendulkar’s greatness. He will not be a part of any Indian cricket team after 18th November 2013, but he will forever be a part of cricketing folklore as a boy wonder, and a boy who just wanted and loved to play the game of cricket. Period.

What will I dearly miss? The straight drive, the upper cut, the whip through the on-side, the off-drive, the back-foot punch... the list is endless. I will miss his mannerisms, his joyful face on the fall of an opposition wicket, his name on the Indian scorecard, or the "Sachiiin, Sachin" chants whenever he comes out to bat. For me the joy of watching cricket is watching Tendulkar in full- or half-flow. Some of his innings (and the things / events associated with them) are etched out in my mind – the 143 in Sharjah in 1998 (the next day in school we made our English teacher describe the innings, as we could not witness it live... But I have seen the re-telecast many a times later. I even once tried to record the commentary of that match in a tape recorder... I still remember the late Tony Greig screaming “What a player; What a wonderful player”); the 176 versus West Indies in Eden Gardens in 2002 (it was a particularly cold morning in Kolkata, and until the hundred I had done nothing. My mother was red-faced with anger...); the 200 versus South Africa in 2010 (the whole cafeteria in office was roaring. Never had I seen such raucous crowd in a professional setting... I bet it will never happen again...); the 98 versus Pakistan in 2003 World Cup (After a delightful square drive Robin Jackman just said “Ah!” and a long pause); the 115 versus Australia in 1999... There had been many instances when I had moved away from the TV set, or switched it off when Tendulkar had got out. At times I had criticized him in public, but in my heart I had a faith in him, like I have in God, which made me believe that he will somehow overcome every criticism, every cynic... Everything.

To me Tendulkar stands for belief, for hope, which inspires me. I remember watching some of the videos or during live matches when he would get standing ovation – my eyes would get moist (at times I have even shed a tear or two...Against Kenya, when he made 140, after he returned from his dad’s funeral; against Australia during the 2011 tour when the Australian crowds at all the venues would stand up to welcome him or when he departed...)

What is that which I like about Tendulkar so much? For me the clincher is his tremendous work ethic, his artisan-like approach to hone his skills, which is already God gifted. And above all his passion for the game. He is supremely talented, yet so humble and works so hard. I think that sets him apart. Sports (including cricket) has been blessed with tremendous talents... But none can match Tendulkar. I am sure none would have the approach of Tendulkar towards the game of cricket, for which he is like God-send. One may argue that with Tendulkar’s talent it is evident that Tendulkar would be Tendulkar. But the biggest point, which is often missed here, is that talent can open the first door, but it will not open the last. And success is not about winning the battle; it’s about winning the war.

There has been legends before and there will be many in future, not only in cricket but across many human disciplines – be it sports, science, medicine, technology... But there would not be a Tendulkar. Never. He has taught Indians to dream, to shatter the shackles and break-free... He has carried the burden of a nation on his shoulders since his teenage years... He has united the whole of India... which probably no politician or a national leader could possibly envision. When in full flow he could make India stop. Literally... He has been an institution of perfection, abstinence and above all he is as clean as a whistle.

Over the years, I always used to calculate how long would he play? How long would I be able to enjoy Tendulkar? I often used to tell myself – another 10 years (when he was around 30).... then it gradually came down to 5 years, to 3 years, and to 1 year. But I always wanted him to continue forever. Like a utopian speculation, I always believed he can defy age, and continue to play for another ten years. If not all the formats, at least test cricket. And now he stands at the cusp of saying GOODBYE for the final time. Another 5 days, may be 4, may be 3... Who knows? He will depart the cricket field, but his legacy will live forever. For many more years. Light years.

 

Bura na mano, Holi hai!

I lost at least 10-15 ‘years’ today and in very quick time – just 3 odd hours in the morning (Don’t get me wrong...it’s akin to losing weight...nothing serious!!)... I felt like the protagonist of those movies, where the hero gets up in the morning and finds him younger... by 15-20 years (although I am not so old to lose 15-20 years, hence I lost less!). It was as if I had been on a time machine, which took me almost 15 years back to my childhood days (or 6-7 years back, even during my college days in Bangalore), when I used to play ‘Holi’ – the festival of colours.

Before today, I think I would have last played Holi in Bangalore, during college. I have been here in Gurgaon for 3 years now - stayed in Delhi for 2 more, which makes it a grand 5 years in this part of the country. But coincidence or misfortune or whatever you may like to call it, I could never take part in the Holi festivities, which I must say is grand – one of the biggest after ‘Diwali’ (the festival of lights), especially in the northern parts of the country. I must say that India is a nice country – if not for anything else but for its festivals – of different hues, shades, brightness, and contrasts...That I got to celebrate ‘Holi’ – makes me even proud of my nationality. Nevertheless, it’s a debatable topic – for now, let’s accept that India is great, and soak in the colours of Holi.

The fun began in the morning. Although I woke up to a normal ‘holiday mode’ morning, but a bit early, I never expected it to take such a drastic turn within few minutes of my leaving the bed. I started the day with my customary glance at the morning daily – which, I must add, got my better half furiously angry. She thought I would soak her with colours the moment she would come out of the bed in the morning. At least I had committed that before, and this being our first Holi together made it all the more special (we missed out last year, we were in Pattaya). But I missed to do that (although in a true sense, I did not miss that. I was actually waiting for an opportune moment and place. I did not want to get everything coloured! But she thinks that’s just an excuse... Marriage can change your life, you know. Albeit for good...my wife will also read this blog!!) and she was furious at me. But it did not take much longer for her to be sombre and for our fun to begin, for things took an unexpected turn the moment we took the colours, which we (she; I missed out here again! Last few days have been unusually hectic at work and I have been getting late for almost the entire last week) had bought to celebrate Holi, and went downstairs... a flock of 10-15 year olds were waiting for us (and of course our landlord, his extended family!). Equipped with water guns and canons, buckets and balloons, they hurled the first colours at us and that was the start... Aah!

For the next 3 or so hours we were smearing colours at each other, smashing balloons on each other’s backs, bullying each other with bucketful of colourful water and of course, cannoning and gunning (with water) our way to glory. I must also add that the water cannons and the guns these days are much more sophisticated, powerful (to handle the torture) and robust, unlike what we had those days when we were kids. We even did not spare the passersby – some got their cars coloured, some got themselves wet and some volunteered to get themselves (and sometimes their cars) soaked up in coloured water. Some gave us stern looks; others were scared even with the windows of their cars up, while some others had a big smile on their face and some may have even cursed us. We wished there were more auto rickshaws on road today. I need not tell you why. We did a lot of damage to the privileged ones travelling in an auto rickshaw on a Holi. But then, who the hell cared! It was a riot of colours and water. North Indians have a nice way to calm the people who are not-so-happy when you put colours on them – “Bura na mano, Holi hai!” (Don’t feel bad, it’s Holi).

It was plain simple fun. Sometimes these simple things in life make you so much happier than a lot of other ‘complicated’ things – like for example losing 5 kilogram weight, or may be reducing the waistline, or getting the yearly bonus, or the promotions, or making your boss happy (At this time, I am unable to think of any other suitable example to fit the bill. Excuse me for that). So until next time – be happy and enjoy life, as it comes. Let this Holi fill your life with colours. Cheers.

N.B. I wish I could shed some weight like the way I shed years from my life today. I know it will take time and I will keep trying. ‘Where there is will ... ...’ you know it!!