'..a small man can cast a very large shadow..'
- Lord Varys speaking to Tyrion Lannister, 'A Game of Thrones'
Such was the case throughout many careers. For more than two decades, people around the world lived under the shadow of a small man. A small man with gigantic deeds. Men thrived by making their records with the willow - but only momentarily, until that shadow eclipsed it again. Men reached milestones but they were all eventually directing stones along a greater path - the path He made. Even though he rests today, his path will remain barren for quite some time to come. He has cast a large shadow indeed.
The magnitude of influence that Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar has had on the world during his stellar two decade career cannot be stated in finite terms. But the reader can extrapolate from the fact that nearly three generations of Indians look up to him when they perform tasks - whatever the task may be. He has been the brand ambassador of the game and the poster boy for the billions around him. In an era when this country was opening up to the world, he defined resurgence, consistency and dedication.
He became a symbol for progress as a whole country grew up with him. New barriers were breached as he broke record after record. As he rose with the game from its black and white times to the new fast-paced, coloured form, the country rose alongside him in unison.
His style of sportsmanship remains a timeless lesson for all. He never lost his patience on the field. He strove for perfection with every passing match. He had a persistent hunger for his passion - batting. He had his off days as well. But that never bothered him. He came back through crippling injuries and difficulties in life to emerge a newer stronger force on the field. He wore out his critics and silenced them with his eloquent strokeplay.
A bowler who could hold his own against Tendulkar was considered a standard by his peers.
He defined batting in modern One-Day Cricket. His array of shots to balls of every kind put together is so varied that he has opened whole new chapters in the book - the paddle sweep being one. Today, there are few people who have do not say 'Ah! A perfect Tendulkar shot!' or some such line when they see a good stroke played. People who have some memories of cricket since the '90s cannot forget the slogan 'If cricket is a religion, then Tendulkar is the God'. Such is the relevance of the Master Blaster that he has become an adjective himself. A scientific view of religion states that Gods are only superhumans who have achieved so much (maybe with such flair) that few others, if any, can dare challenge their feats. On such a count though, Tendulkar is a God.
I have been fortunate enough to grow up when the phenomenon called Sachin took the world by storm. I believe that a part of Tendulkar, the cricketer has been ingrained in us late '80s and '90s kids and still surfaces now and then.
Thank You Sachin. Thanks for what you have been, what you are - cricket itself. It is only right that BCCI retire the no. 10 jersey in your honour. They say the best player inherits this number. But then, for Indian cricket, this is not just a number.
His records overshadow all achievements, and it will take more than a Sun to light that dark 'forbidden' area.
Sachin Tendulkar stood the test of time. In fact, he has now given time itself a test - and no easy one either. Time may be the great yet terrible teacher. It may destroy everything in its wake. But let's see whether time can stand its own against this man, or will he hit it for a six, giving it nightmares later on?
- Lord Varys speaking to Tyrion Lannister, 'A Game of Thrones'
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| His own shadow - Tendulkar's test to time |
The magnitude of influence that Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar has had on the world during his stellar two decade career cannot be stated in finite terms. But the reader can extrapolate from the fact that nearly three generations of Indians look up to him when they perform tasks - whatever the task may be. He has been the brand ambassador of the game and the poster boy for the billions around him. In an era when this country was opening up to the world, he defined resurgence, consistency and dedication.
He became a symbol for progress as a whole country grew up with him. New barriers were breached as he broke record after record. As he rose with the game from its black and white times to the new fast-paced, coloured form, the country rose alongside him in unison.
His style of sportsmanship remains a timeless lesson for all. He never lost his patience on the field. He strove for perfection with every passing match. He had a persistent hunger for his passion - batting. He had his off days as well. But that never bothered him. He came back through crippling injuries and difficulties in life to emerge a newer stronger force on the field. He wore out his critics and silenced them with his eloquent strokeplay.
A bowler who could hold his own against Tendulkar was considered a standard by his peers.
He defined batting in modern One-Day Cricket. His array of shots to balls of every kind put together is so varied that he has opened whole new chapters in the book - the paddle sweep being one. Today, there are few people who have do not say 'Ah! A perfect Tendulkar shot!' or some such line when they see a good stroke played. People who have some memories of cricket since the '90s cannot forget the slogan 'If cricket is a religion, then Tendulkar is the God'. Such is the relevance of the Master Blaster that he has become an adjective himself. A scientific view of religion states that Gods are only superhumans who have achieved so much (maybe with such flair) that few others, if any, can dare challenge their feats. On such a count though, Tendulkar is a God.
I have been fortunate enough to grow up when the phenomenon called Sachin took the world by storm. I believe that a part of Tendulkar, the cricketer has been ingrained in us late '80s and '90s kids and still surfaces now and then.
Thank You Sachin. Thanks for what you have been, what you are - cricket itself. It is only right that BCCI retire the no. 10 jersey in your honour. They say the best player inherits this number. But then, for Indian cricket, this is not just a number.
His records overshadow all achievements, and it will take more than a Sun to light that dark 'forbidden' area.
Sachin Tendulkar stood the test of time. In fact, he has now given time itself a test - and no easy one either. Time may be the great yet terrible teacher. It may destroy everything in its wake. But let's see whether time can stand its own against this man, or will he hit it for a six, giving it nightmares later on?
Good one, Ajit.
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