Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar: A Billion Dreams; The God of Cricket. Because of his batting skills, Sachin Tendulkar is called god of cricket. Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar is an athlete and a legend but more importantly he is the emotion, the era and the pride of the nation. For 24 years, it was not a game of cricket but a magic show, using a bat to transform matches into moments and statistics into stories. The Birth of a Legend. Sachin was brought to this world 24th April 1973 at Mumbai and he started playing cricket at Shivaji Park. Ajit Tendulkar, Sachin's brother, noticed his talent and immediately took him to Ramakant Achrekar. There are stories of little Sachin hitting the ground so hard he would miss a meal. The way to practice boxing is not to learn how to fight. But learning to survive helps one succeed in the sport. In his very first test, at the age of 16, Sachin faced two of the greatest fast bowlers who ever played. Unlike many others who would have succumbed to the bouncer, Sachin remained standing after a hit. India got its own Little Master, not just a cricketer that day. The Records That Define Greatness. Sachin's career is full of records related to cricket. A player who is physically challenged can score 10 centuries maximum. He scored 34357 runs in both Tests and ODIs in his career. This player scored 200 not out against SA in 2010 which is the first double century ever in ODIs. Most Man of the Match Awards (76)- this player has not only played the game but also dominated it. But numbers alone don’t capture his genius. He wasn’t just any cricketer; he was special. He played straight drives. When he flicked it off the pads for a six, the fan went nuts. The Matches That Made History. In 1998, he scored back to back centuries against Australia in the Sharjah “Desert Storm”, one during the sandstorm and the second in the final. The Australians termed it ‘Tendulkar’s Revenge’. During the World Cup 2003, he smashed 98 runs in 75 balls against Pakistan. One big hit was the famous upper-cut six off Shoaib Akhtar. The whole of India erupted. In the World Cup final of 2011, he was part of the team but didn’t score so big, the mere presence was eye-catchy. When this happened, he was carried by his teammates. After all, he had carried Indian cricket for two decades. The Man Behind the Bat. Beyond the cricket field, Sachin was. Sachin Tendulkar is a perfectionist. One time, he got out on a cover drive. He practiced for hours. And managed to perfect it. He likes misal pav and vada pav which keeps him grounded. My wife Anjali and children, Sara and Arjun, gave him the strength to succeed. Even with a tennis elbow injury and string of poor shows, he continues to fight back against these odds. The Farewell That Broke a Billion Hearts. Sachin Tendulkar proclaimed his retirement from cricket on November 16, 2013, during his last Test match. “I have lived for 22 yards for 24 years and this has come to an end” did not leave a single eye dry. The country lost a great deal more than just a player; it lost a part itself. Why Sachin Still Matters. Because he wasn’t just a player; he was hope. The solicitation narrows to a peak previously remaining with a breath at its demand’s foot low. When he batted, the streets emptied, and time stood still. Thanks to this giant, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and others benefit today. The dreams inspired by his legacy, not just the records. Your Turn: Relive the Magic. What’s your favorite Sachin memory? The Desert Storm? The six off Akhtar? The 200 in Gwalior? Where does he rank in your all-time list? If he isn’t number one then we need to talk. Have your say in the comment section below about the man who taught us to dream big and play hard.