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Class
I could not think of a better title while writing this down. I had promised Naskar that I would pen something on this topic as I recently discovered that we share more than our Bengali heritage and our undying love for Manchester United - it is passionate support for the one true hero of Indian sport, Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar. This is to you, Naskar...
I recently had a small argument with a friend about how a certain Sachin Tendulkar never shows up when the Indian cricket team needs him the most. I just said - "Wait, and watch". And lo and behold - up came the two finals of the CB series and two back to back vintage Tendulkar performances which had the entire country in raptures and gave me a smug smile to show my friend.
I dont claim to remember Tendulkar's early cricket years. I got hooked to cricket in the whereabouts of the '96 world cup, when Tendulkar had recently become a phenomenon in our nation. Since then, the man has always stamped his class when he is required to. Rewind to the World Cup '96, where he blasted his way through the Curtley Ambroses, the Glenn McGraths, the Courtney Walshes, the Wasim Akrams, the Waqar Younises, the Chaminda Vaases, the Shane Warnes, the Muttaiah Mularidarans et al. He not only turned up India's highest scorer in the tournament (a feat he had accomplished in '92 also) but also the overall highest scorer. This feat was repeated in the '03 edition of the biggest tournament in which, he broke many records on the way to being the top-scorer and the player of the tournament.
The records, accolades and results kept flowing. The hurricane against Australia at Sharjah (Warney claims that Tendulkar still visits him in his nightmares), the blitz against Zimbawe and his nemesis Henry Olonga, the numerous occasions when he single-handedly decimated Pakistan's feared pace attack, the massive 186 against New Zealand in Hyderabad all showed the consistency that Tendulkar personified. To hold an average of over 40 in an Indian side which rarely made the top 4 in the world rankings (the only recognised Indian batsman with such a high career average) speaks of the man's class as does the fact that India have won a majority of their encounters when Tendulkar plays in the side.
A bout of injuries (the back problem, tennis elbow etc.) had people asking for Tendulkar's "graceful" retirement. The way the man has hit out (remember the 140 against the Windies in Malaysia?) against his detractors on the pitch, the way that he answers all who doubt his commitment and passion towards the game speaks of the hunger and passion he has for the game. The disdain with which he drives and cuts to glory, the flow of his dancing down the wicket to deliver a six over long off, the impetuous pulls and hooks, the cheeky late cuts and reverse sweeps and one the shot which he has made his own, the straight drive standing tall; all these speak of the pure class and elegance which the man possesses.
Another gem (apart from his inexhaustive talent) in Tendulkar is his modesty and his dignified conduct off-field. He does not lead a swashbuckling lifestyle unlike most other icons. He is a natural leader and has very healthy relations with his fellow players and all around him. Unselfish, unassuming and ever-positive, Tendulkar is one of the reasons cricket is still called the "gentleman's game".
After following and worshipping Tendulkar for over a decade, even now when I see him take the field, a soothing sensation runs down my spine because I know, a billion expectations are on able shoulders. And when the shots start flowing, one word involuntarily escapes my lips, "Class!"
Thursday, August 27, 2009
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