Thunder’Dulkar

February 2010, the shortest month of the year, will be remembered for the huge steep climb in the Cricketing world. It was the heroics of Cricket’s favorite son, the child from our motherland, one who has endorsed dream beyond boundaries, who has roused and at all times lived to the expectations, one who has woven the silk-bond between his followers, Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar, a wonderful husband, father of two and the deity of the entire nation, slammed the first-ever double hundred in the limited over edition. This is the moment of pride, the moment of prestige and dignity, which India can and must brag upon. The shrewdest of shrewd critic of this little master would have been delighted for him accomplishing this Herculean task. Sanjay Manjrekar quoted this prolific moment by saying “The most deserving landmark is achieved.”

Sachin’s roots are deeply rooted into the soil of Marathas, who throughout history has stood up to the cause of India. He is from the great land that has mothered the birth of Shivaji’s, Savarkar’s, Tilak’s, Ambedkar’s and many others who are pillar of today’s India. The land named Maharashtra, which lives to its name; the Big State, is the proud mother again with her most pampered child gathering the so far impossible heap. The two hundredth run scored by Sachin, a single to point, will find its place in history and the land of Gwalior, another historic place in India, will harvest this rich moment till eternity.

The journey of Sachin’s master class began at the tender age of twelve when he alongside Vinod Kambli featured into the biggest partnership amongst school kids by piling up over 600 runs together. Sachin’s first coach, his Highness Mr Ramakant Achrekar invented and polished Sachin what we see today. The Ranji trophy was debuted with a hundred at the age of 14, the Indian cap was postponed for the threat of West Indies fast bowlers; and the international debut in 1989 involve blood when Waqar Younis’s bouncer whacked this nose on its way. His grit to stay on ground was witness for the first time when he continued batting with blood puking nose and scored a magnificent half century. Later in another tour match he conquered Abdul Qadir, a lethal leg spinner, with his mesmerizing stroke play. Qadir announced then and there about the “Star being born”.

The days that followed have seen Sachin and India grown together hands-in hands. Seldom Sachin went out of focus. His first test century in England, the exhibition of class in the ’93 World cup down under, a century at Perth, promotion to opening the ODI innings, an ODI hundred against Aussies (one feet that was prolonged too long), a breath taking last over in Hero cup, and the brutal runs scoring during the times. May it be test cricket or one day, fast bowling or spin, all were at his mercy. The records were attained at the speed of knots. The newspapers across nations were filled with columns on Sachin. He attained the status of national icon at a very young age and was felicitated by big national awards. The ’96 World cup saw Sachin at his peak. He single handedly destroyed attacks and booked India a semi-final’s seat. Pre quarterfinal match, Wasim Akram said “It is Pakistan versus Sachin”. This summarises the stature and respect he commanded at a beginning age of his youth.

On his way Sachin caught the corporate attention too. The record contract signed between him and Worldtel made him the richest cricketer of the universe. He began the new innings of life by marrying Anjali, his childhood friend. The glamorous Bollywood too peeped into his life. The businesses were found with the opening of a Restaurant named ‘Tendulkar’s’ in south Mumbai. Although with such a wide portfolio on offer, Sachin never loosed his grip and love for cricket. He always maintained a childish adore for this wonderful game. He slowly made an in road into the heart of every Indian. He became son of every mother, a brother of every Indian and an icon of every tender heart like ours. His stay still exists in our hearts. It still fills proud with every new record. It still misses a beat with fall of his wicket.

The Australians toured India in 96/97 with a dream to conquer the subcontinent. Their single aim was to get Sachin out by hook or crook. Shane Warne had come with a trap to weave Sachin in his trap by bowling around the stumps wide of his leg stump. Sachin was entrapped into the plan initially but did bounce back with loads of runs and couple of hundreds. Later, he played the two most spectacular back to back Hundreds in an ODI series at Sharjah to dismiss Australia from crown. The innings consisted of wide galore of audacious stroke play that captivated the Cricketing world. By those innings he was officially throned as the best batsman of times and was described as the second best to Sir Don Bradman who have ever batted. Post series Warne collected Sachin’s sign over his shirt and did accept about getting nightmares of him dancing down the track and smashing straight over his head for a sixer. Sir Don saw himself in Sachin and his public gesture about the fact added a feather in Sachin’s cap.

The ’99 World cup in England stamped Sachin’s dedication towards the game and his total commitment of playing for the nation. He stood over the scattered emotions caused by the loss of his beloved father and returned back to squad in England to smash a hundred. This was a true testimony to his mind-strength, his character and his love for the game. He became the diamond of every throat across nations. This feat saw Sachin turning from a lovable boy to a complete man. Although a single game that India lost in his absence cast their way out from the World cup, Sachin emerged as a national phenomenon.

The loads of expectation and immense pressure of international schedule did take its toll on Sachin’s body. His body began to dismantle. The lower back pain, the hair line foot fracture and the tennis elbow pushed Sachin away from his favorite game. Meanwhile he defaulted as a captain. He struggled to manage and build a young Indian side. He was in the eyes of media for all the reasons but cricket. The fierce critics even predicted the end of Sachin’s era. The rise of Ganguly and Dravid did provide cushion for the Indian side. The Indian cricket went through the worst period as the match fixing scandal of Hansie Cronje and Mohammad Azaruddin shook the cricketing fraternity like a forceful earthquake. Even the likes of Kapil Dev were questioned as the dark clouds of the scam devastated the nation and its cricket followers who otherwise stood united for the game. Sachin’s integrity remained unscratched. For Sachin, they followed the game with passion post the disastrous scandal. By the fall of new millennium Sachin was once question for ball tampering in a test match in South Africa, which caused an outrage in India. The cricketing world was on verge of divide between the whites and the darks. With Sachin’s intervention the episode calmed down without further damage.

This experience might have taught Sachin to be more responsible. He curbed his natural instinct as a destroyer and emerged as an accumulator. The combination proves lethal in the 2003 World cup in South Africa. Sachin played long and strong throughout the tournament and ensured a final’s berth for the side. His assault on Shoaibh Akhtar provided the atmost level of excitement to the followers like us. The upper cut which sailed over third man for a maximum brought delight beyond words to Sachin-crazy followers. “तुम्हे पता है तुमने किसका क्याच छोड़ा है?” uttered Wasim Akram to Abdul Razzak when Sachin was dropped at mid off. His early dismissal in the finals made sure the Aussies win the World cup under Steve Waugh. Sachin for his plentiful run gathering was crowned man of the series.

With the rise of Shewag, Yuvraj and Dhoni the responsibility of batting was shared. The era of Indian batting revolving around Sachin slowly faded away. The young brigade won in absence of Sachin. The fact that the game of cricket requires an ongoing change made Sachin change his batting style. To the surprise of everyone Sachin let away his aggressive batting and for some mystical reason was found struggling with the bat. The end of Sachin was seen over the horizon. The worst his fan could expect was to see him sit down on knees to the in-drifters from medium pacers which dislodge the stumps. And to add salt over wound this happened time and again. Even the most dedicated followers begin to believe the end was coming. The in dripper of Dilhara Fernando in the ’07 World cup disturbing the middle stump added to the woe. India’s early exit from the tournament was considered as the reason for inflicting new blood into the veins. Meanwhile Sachin stayed away from the initial T20 World cup which India won.

This break did provide a chance to measure up things. Sachin assembled a lot in and around him. His inner self was still childish, but the ageing body struggled. He changed the game accordingly and his return to the highest level of cricket was more action-packed than ever. His hunger for runs, his strive to play for India perhaps intensified even more. The moment we thought Sachin was finished, much to the surprise he roused again. Its not falling which matters, but rising again does. The centuries in Australia, West Indies, England and Sri Lanka provided a batting delight and submit a strong come back message to the entire world. He grew from strength to strength. The injuries were kept away by choosing the right matches and opposition. Under Dhoni he has regained his master class. This was a blessing in disguise for the followers like us, who were disappointed once seeing the champion struggle. The golden days of glory are back and the time is right to bask in it. Go Sachin Go!

Since past 2 years we have seen Sachin bat like no other. The records were sure to come his way along this enticing journey. Recently he completed 20 years of international cricket which is a very rare phenomenon. The innings of 175 that he played during his 17,000 ODI runs against Australia has no gauge. Although the innings could not help India win the match, but the stroke play was ferocious and loud. The Aussie bowlers looked pitiful and clueless for the assault on them. The destroyer Sachin was back and the zeal to conquer any attack of the world was witnessed. It was tearful watching him bat like him, again. They say God blesses one for his commitment and dedication towards whatever he does. Sachin has every right to reap rewards that he has been blessed with. He to me is the modern day Shivaji who with his foresight has laid a golden path for the baby boomers of our country.

On 24th of February 2010 Sachin achieved the peak of ODI cricket against South Africa by becoming the first batsman to score a double century in an ODI match. The whole of nation felt proud that their most favorite son achieved this landmark. The world was happy for this deserving accomplishment and it was worth hearing loads and loads of accolade on Sachin. The eyes were full of tears and the heart full with contentment. Whatever more he achieves from here would be no prettier than this very moment.

Sachin has always been a person of dreams. In his foremost public appearance, in an interview with Tom Altar, during the post school days, he had a very bold look in those tender eyes. The language he spoke was of authority and the body emitted a confident young bloke, who was ready to take the cricketing world face on. Till date he has kept the inside flame alive. The dismay of missing a triple ton in his test career or the World cup elusion is evident. And who knows like this double century we the followers of this great game will be giving a standing ovation once this feet is accomplished on a fine day. That day will bestow Godly being to this master class human. Salute.

Live long Sachin!