Sachin, we love you as much as you love the game of cricket

by Rashmin Khandekar
February 28, 2010

The motive behind putting together this piece is to celebrate the recent historic success of the legend that we know by the name of Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar.

All of us are aware of his achievements, with well over 30 thousand runs in international cricket, we all know him as the best batsman of this era, and perhaps the best ever to grace the field of cricket. I do not wish to inundate this forum by mentioning the plethora of records (few unbeatable in the near future, and most possibly being able to withstand the test of time).

The endeavour is to bring out reason behind Tendulkar's success by highlighting some of the major landmarks in Tendulkar's career which display his greatness divorced from the cricketing achievements per se that we recognise him for.

Despite being a naturally gifted player (which is an understatement), Tendulkar has worked as hard as anyone on his craft. Although talent is taken for granted for succeeding at the international level, what at times goes unnoticed is what goes into the making of an international cricketer, especially of the calibre of Tendulkar.

It is not unknown that Tendulkar honed his craft day in and day out at Shivaji Park, the Mecca of Mumbai Cricket before taking his big leap into first class and international cricket- his only dream. Tendulkar's practice was rigorous. On an average he devoted 5 hours a day working on his game. Tendulkar's Guru, Mr. Ramakant Achrekar spelled out that on various occasions he made Tendulkar bat in as many as 5 matches in one single day! People who are aware of the system (or perhaps the lack of it) of practice matches on Shivaji Park will understand what I mean when I say that. On the days when the teams playing at Shivaji Park were full, Mr. Achrekar carried Tendulkar as a pillion passenger on his scooter to Azad maidan (another prominent cricket ground in Mumbai) to make sure that Tendulkar got the requisite match practice for the day. We all also know the story of the 13 coins that Sachin was able to collect for remaining not out at practice- an incentive given to him by his Guru. Till date he considers them to be his most prized possession.

His appetite for big runs was evident from the very beginning. In 1988, the 664-run partnership that Sachin and Vinod Kambli recorded while at school is testimony to that fact. But a few of us know that that partnership was against the instructions of the then Shardashram (his school) coach. As Sachin entered the dressing room, 326 not out, he was reprimanded by his coach whose instructions were to declare the innings much earlier, and was asked why they had carried on batting. Tendulkar is said to have responded spontaneously that he carried on batting because 'he was enjoying it, and that he loved batting, batting for long hours'. I would argue that it is this love to bat, pure love for cricket and passion to play for India has allowed Tendulkar to reach where he has.

Even today, on the cricket field, after serving Indian Cricket for 21 years the Tendulkar is still keen as mustard. His dream still is, to wear the tri-colour on his sleeve and represent India at the highest level. One look at his helmet, gloves and his conduct on the field tells us what it means for him to play for his country. His enthusiasm which is like a 16-year old boy pierces through the billions of television screens and spreads infectiously through the whole nation, and beyond. His looking at the heavens with his arms in the air, the helmet in one hand and the bat, which he has uses as a sword, in the other, is an image which has the ability to make more than a billion people rejoice at the very same moment. The mantra of Tendulkar's success, I would argue is that he has never forgotten that the game of cricket is bigger than an individual. What has allowed Sachin to reign as the King of cricket for more than two decades, unlike many others his era, is that he still plays the game for the same reason which made him take up the game in the first place- love for the game and passion to play for India. Over the years, his game has changed, but the zeal has remained the same.

A chronology of important events (this forum unfortunately has place to mention only a few) which show not only his skill, but his hunger to succeed may help us to appreciate what cricket means to Tendulkar.

In 1989 Tendulkar made his international debut at the age of 16 and was hit by a quick bouncer from the tearaway Pakistan fast bowler, Waqar Younis at Siallkot in his first series. Tendulkar was bleeding profusely. But the innocent looking boy who had a warrior's heart did not go off the field and in fact stayed on to score a delightful half century. He thought if he had gone off the field, he might not have ever got a chance to play for India again.

In the 1993 Hero Cup final against South Africa, Tendulkar literally grabbed the ball from his captain, Mohammad Azaruddin to bowl the final over when South Africa needed just 5 to win. He wanted to do everything that he could to make sure that India won the match and did not want to leave it to anyone else (despite having the option of bowling the likes of Kapil dev and Javagal Srinath). India won the match by 2 runs. Sachin at that time was 20 only years of age.

In 1994, an injury to Navjot Siddhu opened up the opening spot on India's tour to New Zealand. Where and when no one volunteered to open, Tendulkar is said to have been the only person to walk up to his captain to seek his permission to open the innings. Tendulkar told his captain that if he failed, he would never ask for another chance to open the innings. In that match Tendulkar made 82 of 49 balls. As an opener, rest is history.

In 1999, Tendulkar returned to England after having just completed the last rites and rituals of his father's demise to play the World Cup match against Kenya. A lost Tendulkar scored a century in that match which he then dedicated to the heavens, from where his father watched him play.

Once again in 1999, not a finger was raised against Tendulkar during the match-fixing controversy which shook up Indian cricket. More than half the team, including the then captain were alleged to have been involved in the murky affair. Not an iota of an allegation was made against Tendulkar.

Tendulkar has never hit out at his detractors, neither has he engaged in any form of sledging in this era of "hard cricket". Tendulkar has always allowed his bat to do the talking. The way Tendulkar has conducted himself on and off the field has made him the role model that he is.

It was only legitimate that Tendulkar has scaled another mountain to become the first ever man to have scored 200 runs in a One day international. Few would argue that this honour should or could have been conferred on any other player to have taken the field of cricket.

I want to use this forum to communicate to Tendulkar on behalf of all his fans that we love him as much as he loves the game of cricket. You are the man who has brought a smile on our face in the toughest of conditions. We worship you amongst other obvious reasons because we know how pure your love is towards the game that we all have so close to our hearts.

Let me end on a lighter note allowing the ardent Tendulkar fan in me to take over and propose a "Tendulkar" entry in the Oxford dictionary:
Tendulkar (Tehn-ddu-lkar) (n)
1. A notable person whose deeds or exploits are much talked about in his or her time.
2. So extraordinary as to seem impossible.
3. In India, often a reference to God.
4. In India, also a reference to people who consider themselves to belong to all castes and religions (See Tendulkarism)