There was an emptiness that prevailed for decades. Many were striving for the best, and there had been efforts from one nation that were made to reach out for the BETTER, in the best case. Finally we made to the stage where we lifted the prestigious glory. That was the best moment of that time, later the coveted position fell to rivals. The position and the status went southward, consistency remained elusive. Pessimism had accompanied them which made them accustomed to loosing. Though the enthusiasm enthralled the billions, results were disappointing. Still they managed to taste victories but disappointment remained the same. Then came a teen sending waves across the globe with his introduction. Then they, INDIANS, started their revenge.
The little boy was well noticed by the great players of that time. He made the opposition to go down for their blunders. There were many escapades such that even the greats were knocked down. The little champion drew appreciation along with the much needed patronage. The excitement and the enthusiasm penetrated to the hearts of billions which started turning out be the ecstasy of the nation. Then came again the coveted trophy where we lost in the penultimate match. But that series was the one where the whole world witnessed the consistency and the skill. There started the transformation, from little master to master. Then couple of years later, the batsman affirmed the world that he is the nightmare for many. That was the period many hundreds and fifties in both format of the game were made by one man. That was the time when his portfolio became larger, many records were broken. He unsettled the bowlers, exhausted the opponents, drove our nation to the limelight.
Suddenly the unexpected started happening, which was a severe blow to his career which was felt all over the nation. His own body became the enemy and he had to go through a phase in which his body was enduring with knives. His spine was damaged, looked like his spine was not able to bear the burden of billions. Many thought that was the end of an architect who laid the strong foundation for our country in the cricket arena. But again he came from nowhere even before the thought was getting stronger, he thwarted the skeptical thinking of those who questioned his fitness. Billions erupted in joy, he was ready to take the expectation on his shoulders this time. Again he started to move in his own style, then the genius within the man was acknowledged.
That phase saw the master at his usual business. Later his elbow took a severe blow, may be this time his arms were not ready to bear the burden of billions. Again many skeptics made their presence felt by criticizing the injured genius. As expected the master made the nation erupt in joy in an yet another entry. But this entry made his graph skewed for sometime, critics took advantage of this run-less phase and demanded that the genius should step away from the international cricket, it was very pity on them that they were not knowing how difficult it will be to loose the exceptional genius. Might be they were not knowing that new records will be created( not broken). But the master was unmoved and unfazed by the scratching criticism, he was having a plan to destroy their attitude. He managed to get back to form after an year of disappointment. By that time many have confirmed that the game has lost a genius, many have turned their back on him, but he survived those odds.
Then came the second innings, then started the return of the genius. The master drew several criticisms but this time those were positive comments, but that happened to be negative for those skeptics. He erupted with yet another stretch of runs scoring phase which contributed to win matches. This was the time when nervous nineties took its upper hand. The champion was falling short of singles and twos to reach his three digits, but still those were memorable and match winning knocks. This time his body language was different, his aggression had bit came down, instead his technique grew to its Himalayan height. The class was exposed with aplomb. His graph started to move upward, and so his match winning knocks. Those skeptics who were involved in disregarding his commitment and composure were undoubtedly devastated by the master in his classical action. The bowlers who thought him to be no more aggressive were given a reply with acute techniques and class, this aptly made him bowlers’ nightmare even after decades.
Gradually the game experienced the best of its era in the form of one man, the man who captured the billions across borders. Everyone started airing the glory and fame of the prestigious cricketer, that his rivalry seems to be only with himself, critics submitted themselves to the master. His consistency rose to its new height and even more so had been his passion towards the game. Whenever he stepped into the ground he got younger, he cheered everyone with his missile shots and gentle touches, he was in his finest equilibrium. And guess what? This man has never failed the media for its fodder.
And now it happened to be an era where he seems to be the peer for many. The least trivial things that have been done were done with higher efforts. The intensity was high such that every basics of the game has been well laid, no fundamentals have been left out. Achievements have become his routine work, it seems only he has the password to open the record books, inspiration has become the only word that his mates utter when asked about him. And for that matter all cricketers who have the ambition of becoming a great player seem to have taken his game as their benchmark. But for the young man, still after 20 years of his international experience, only one thing haven’t changed all through the years, his passion towards the game remains the same, sorry about that, passion has grown intensely. Now he is the owner of several records and the classical example of a true legend.
This prelude is dedicated to one name which several billion hearts have encrypted in them, and the name is
SACHIN TENDULKAR!
Saluting Sachin for his trademarks. Wasim Akram said, “Cricket is going to loose many fans when Sachin retires”. And my wish is to be a cricket lover for the next decade at least.
