Sachin Tendulkar made history and the piece of this history is a rare thing in the Indian museum of time. He entered the ground as an energetic boy of sixteen and left it at forty and thus over a long span of 24 years, he entertained the whole world by the magic of his bat. Sachin, the legendary cricketer, had been a spell on the pitch and in the cricket world he was the very source of beauty, colour, grace and enthusiasm. The people of India never felt a sense of inferior; their confidence never declined – for there was Tendulkar. The atmosphere of the stadium used to be delightful when he was at the crease.
Sachin never quarrelled over a decision whether right or wrong; and what is more, seldom would anybody have seen him arguing with his fellow cricketers, friends or anyone he came across or being conceited. He never fails to show respect for his elders, gurus and parents; besides, he has nurtured a deep love for his sister, friends, family, cricketers and his fans. He loves cricket, but he loves his country all the more. Now to talk of how he is found by others, it would be enough to say that Pakistan, that envies everything that is good in India, loves him no less than India may have a heart for him. Now every child, every father and mother and every grandfather and grandmother of the world has a great affection and admiration for him.
The afternoon heat was barely tolerable on November 16, 2013. Wankhede Stadium was crowded with cricket lovers. When Sachin with his eyes filled with tears finally bowed out of his 200th and final Test, in which India thrashed West Indies, by putting the tilak of the soil on his forehead as a mark of respect, it felt as though everyone there had lost all hope of keeping Indian cricket alive. Many cricketers retired but it was the first farewell in the history of cricket that was not only received with a resounding chorus of cheers but also made every face wet with tears. Everyone was overcome with emotion, thinking how it would be like to watch further matches without him. His farewell Test had the people of India and also all the cricket lovers of the world riveted.
The God of cricket made a deeply moving farewell speech:
Usually, Sachin spoke straight from the heart, but this time his voice was choked. He composed himself and asked the delirious crowd to settle down and let him speak. As the audience quietened, he delivered such a soulful speech that it forced the audience to dissolve into tears.
"All my friends,” he began. “Settle down let me talk, I will get more and more emotional.” The crowd got louder as he tried to compose himself. “My life, between 22 yards for 24 years, it is hard to believe that that wonderful journey has come to an end, but I would like to take this opportunity to thank people who have played an important role in my life. Also, for the first time in my life I am carrying this list, to remember all the names in case I forget someone. I hope you understand. It's getting a little bit difficult to talk but I will manage.
“The most important person in my life, and I have missed him a lot since 1999 when he passed away, my father. Without his guidance, I don't think I would have been standing here in front of you. He gave me freedom at the age of 11, and told me that I should chase my dreams, but make sure you do not find shortcuts. The path might be difficult but don't give up, and I have simply followed his instructions. Above all, he told me to be a nice human being, which I will continue to do and try my best. Every time I have done something special and showed my bat, it was for my father.
“My mother,” he said fondly, “I don't know how she dealt with such a naughty child like me. I was not easy to manage. She must be extremely patient. For a mother, the most important thing is that her child remains safe and healthy and fit. That was what she was most bothered and worried about. She took care of me for the last 24 years that I have played for India, but even before that she started praying for me the day I started playing cricket. She just prayed and prayed and I think her prayers and blessings have given me the strength to go out and perform, so a big thank you to my mother for all the sacrifices.
“In my school days, for four years, I stayed with my uncle and aunt because my school was quite far from my home, and they treated me like their son. My aunt, after having had a hard day's play, I would be half asleep and she would be feeding me food so I could go again and play tomorrow. I can't forget these moments. I am like their son and I am glad it has continued to be the same way.
“My eldest brother, Nitin, and his family, have always encouraged me. My eldest brother doesn't like to talk much, but the one thing he always told me is that whatever you do, I know you will always give it 100%, and that I have full faith and confidence in you. His encouragement meant a lot to me. My sister, Savita, and her family, was no different. The first cricket bat of my life was presented to me by my sister. It was a Kashmir willow bat. But that is where the journey began. She is one of those many who still continue to fast when I bat, so thank you very much.
“Ajit, my brother, now what do I talk about him? I don't know. We have lived this dream together. He was the one who sacrificed his career for my cricket. He spotted the spark in me. And it all started from the age of 11 when he took me to Archrekar sir, my coach, and from there on my life changed. You will find this hard to believe but even last night he called to discuss my dismissal, knowing that there was a remote chance of batting again, but just the habit we have developed, the rapport we have developed, since my birth, has continued and it will continue. Maybe when I'm not playing cricket we will still be discussing technique.
“Various things we agreed upon, my technique, and so many technical things which I didn't agree with him, we have had arguments and disagreements, but when I look back at all these things in my life, I would have been a lesser cricketer.
“The most beautiful thing happened to me in 1990,” he smiled, “when I met my wife, Anjali.” There were loud cheers from the crowd. Then he got emotional again and added, “Those were special years and it has continued and will always continue that way. I know Anjali, being a doctor; there was a wonderful career in front of her. When we decided to have a family, Anjali took the initiative to step back and say that 'you continue with your cricket and I will take the responsibility of the family'.
“Without that, I don't think I would have been able to play cricket freely and without stress. Thanks for bearing with all my fuss and all my frustrations, and all sorts of rubbish that I have spoken. Thanks for bearing with me and always staying by my side through all the ups and downs. You are the best partnership I've had in my life.” Now, Anjali burst into tears. Her daughter Sara came across and threw her arms around her and by kissing her she tried to comforting her.
He was rather bereft as he said, “Then, the two precious diamonds of my life, Sara and Arjun. They have already grown up. My daughter is 16, my son is 14. Time has flown by. I wanted to spend so much time with them on special occasions like their birthdays, their annual days, their sports day, going on holidays, whatever. I have missed out on all those things. Thanks for your understanding. Both of you have been so, so special to me you cannot imagine. I promise you for 14 and 16 years I have not spent enough time with both of you, but the next 16 years or even beyond that, everything is for you.
“My in-laws, Anand Mehta and Annabel, both have been so, so supportive, loving and caring. I have discussed on various things in life, generally with them, and have taken their advice. You know, it's so important to have a strong family who is always with you and who are guiding you. Before you start clapping, the most important thing they did was allowing me to marry Anjali, so thank you very much.
“In the last 24 years that I have played for India I have made new friends, and before that I have had friends from my childhood. They have all had a terrific contribution. As and when I have called them to come and bowl to me at the nets, they have left their work aside to come and help me. Be it joining me on holidays and having discussions with me on cricket, or how I was a little stressed and wanting to find a solution so I can perform better.
“All those moments my friends were with me. Even for when I was injured, I would wake up in the morning because I couldn't sleep and thought that my career was over because of injuries, that is when my friends have woken up at 3 o'clock in the morning to drive with me and make me believe that my career was not over. Life would be incomplete without all those friends. Thanks for being there for me.
“My cricket career started when I was 11. The turning point of my career was when my brother [referring to Ajit] took me to Achrekar sir. I was extremely delighted to see him up in the stands. Normally he sits in front of the television and he watches all the games that I play. When I was 11/12, those were the days when I used to hop back on his scooter and play a couple of practice matches a day. The first half the innings I would be batting at Shivaji Park, the second half, at some other match in Azad Maidan. He would take me all over Mumbai to make sure I got match practice.
Here his mature self was superseded by his young heart. “On a lighter note, in the last 29 years, sir has never ever said 'well played' to me because he thought I would get complacent and I would stop working hard. Maybe he can push his luck and wish me now, well done on my career, because there are no more matches, sir, in my life. I will be witnessing cricket, and cricket will always stay in my heart, but you have had an immense contribution in my life, so thank you very much.
“My cricket for Mumbai started right here on this ground, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), which is so dear to me. I remember landing from New Zealand at four o'clock in the morning, and turning up for a game here at eight o'clock just because I wanted to be a part of Mumbai cricket, and not that somebody forced me. That was for the love of Mumbai cricket, and thank you very much. The president is here so thank you very much, along with your team, for taking care of me and looking after my cricket.
“The dream was obviously to play for India, and that is where my association with BCCI started. BCCI was fantastic, right from my debut they believed in my ability and selecting me into the squad at the age of 16 was a big step, so thanks to all the selectors for having faith in me and the BCCI for giving me the freedom to express myself out in the middle. Things would have been different if you had not been behind me, and I really appreciate your support. Especially when I was injured, you were right with me and making sure that all the treatments were taken care of, and that I got fit and fine and playing [right] back for India.
“The journey has been special, the last 24 years, I have played with many senior cricketers, and even before that there were many senior cricketers with whom I watched on television. They inspired me to play cricket, and to play in the right way. Thanks to all those senior cricketers, and unfortunately I have not been able to play with them, but I have high regards for all their achievements and all their contributions.
“We see it on the mega-screen, Rahul, Laxman, Sourav, and Anil, who is not here, and my team-mates right here in front me. You are like my family away from home. I have had some wonderful times with you. It is going to be difficult to not be part of the dressing room, sharing those special moments. All the coaches for their guidance, it has been special for me. I know when MS Dhoni presented me the 200th Test match cap on Day One morning.” He went on with a word of advice to the team, specially warning them away from match fixing, “I had a brief message for the team. I would like to repeat that. I just feel that all of us are so, so fortunate and proud to be part of the Indian cricket team and serving the nation.
“Knowing all of you guys, I know you will continue to serve the nation in the right spirit and right values. I believe we have been the lucky ones to be chosen by the Almighty to serve this sport. Each generation gets this opportunity to take care of this sport and serve it to the best of our ability. I have full faith in you to continue to serve the nation in the right spirit and to the best of your ability, to bring all the laurels to the country. All the very best.
“I would be failing in my duties if I did not thank all the doctors, the physicians, the trainers, who have put this difficult body together to go back on the field and be able to play. The amount of injuries that I have had in my career, I don't know how you have managed to keep me fit, but without your special efforts, it would never have happened. The doctors have met me at weird hours. I mean I have called them from Mumbai to Chennai, Mumbai to Delhi, I mean wherever. They have just taken the next flight and left their work and families to be with me, which has allowed me to play. So a big thank you to all three of you for keeping me in good shape.
“My dear friend, late Mark Mascarenhas, my first manager. We unfortunately lost him in a car accident in 2001, but he was such a well-wisher of cricket, my cricket, and especially Indian cricket. He was so passionate. He understood what it takes to represent a nation and gave me all the space to go out and express myself, and never pressurised me to do this ad or promotion or whatever the sponsors demanded. He took care of that and today I miss him, so thank you Mark for all your contribution.
“My current management team, WSG, for repeating what Mark has done, because when I signed the contract I exactly told them what I want from them, and what it requires to represent me. They have done that and respected that.
“Someone who has worked closely with me for 14 years is my manager, Vinod Nayudu. He is more like my family and all the sacrifices, spending time away from his family for my work, has been special, so big thank you to his family as well for giving up so much time for my work with Vinod.
“In my school days, when I performed well, the media backed me a lot. They continue to do that till this morning. Thank you so much to the media for supporting and appreciating my performances. It surely had positive effect on me. Thank you so much to all the photographers as well for those wonderfully captured moments that will stay with me for the rest of my life, so a big thank you to all the photographers.”
By now he had spoken for 20 minutes so wanted to conclude but the crowd roared with ‘nooooooooo’ – for they wanted to enjoy listening to him for hours. However, Sachin continued briskly with a view to finishing off, “I know my speech is getting a bit too long, but this is the last thing I want to say. I want to thank all the people here who have flown in from various parts of the world, and have supported me endlessly, whether I scored a 0 or a 100-plus. Your support was so dear to me and meant a lot to me. Whatever you have done for me.
“I know I have met so many guys who have fasted for me, prayed for me, done so much for me. Without that life wouldn't have been like this for me. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart, and also say that time has flown by rather quickly, but the memories you have left with me will always be with me forever and ever, especially "Sachin, Sachin" which will reverberate in my ears till I stop breathing.” Here the crowd howled ‘Sachin, Sachin’. He then closed by saying, “Thank you very much. If I have missed out on saying something, I hope you understand. Goodbye."
Some Emotive Events:
The Little Master took a stamp after the last wicket had fallen and walked to the pavilion, wiping the tears from his eyes. His team members came rushing to form a guard of honour. Simultaneously, the other players gave him a moving send-off by leaping along like frogs.
The people were not ready to leave the ground until their favourite cricketer went round the field. So Sachin held an Indian flag in his hand and set out to perambulate. Captain, M S Dhoni, and Vice-captain, Virat Kohli, hoisted him onto their shoulders. As the procession passed before the crowd, it was greeted with a roar of applause. A woman began to sob cheerfully.
After every part of commemoration was over, Sachin unexpectedly headed for the pitch, quite alone, deep in thought. When he reached there, he bent down, touched the ground and then put the same fingers onto his heart and forehead. Now every eye brimmed with tears.
The people had shed a lot of tears right from the match was over to the end of ceremonies, but they still had a lot of that to be saddened by the thought that cricket matches would no more follow with the magic of their master’s bat. They continued chanting the name of their adorable player till the bus departed. A billion cheers and a billion tears followed the very ‘Goodbye’.
When the bus pulled off, it felt as though it was the end of a glorious era of cricket or as if India had lost its hopes and dreams, its inspiration, its pleasure and its comfort for ever more. The country seemed unable to imagine life without her Sachin?
Late in the evening, the then Prime Minister phoned Sachin to inform him that he was selected for India's highest civilian honour, but he got no response. Finally, Mr Rajeev Shukla was sent to his house to find out why he did not answer the call. The former chairman of Indian Premier League called on him and was told that Sachin was so lost in his world that he was unable think of anything else. Anyway, he was later announced as the first sportsman to receive the Bharat Ratna. The Master Blaster added one more mark of glory to his history. Sachin deserved the honour not only because he had been the best cricket player of India but also because he has a high character. He is the pride of India; he is the heart and soul of India.
Most cricketers and aspirants must have envied Sachin while watching the departing ceremony. Many of the people would have thought that Sachin was wrongly awarded the greatest civilian honour. Strictly speaking, the grand farewell celebration and the Bharat Ratna are great things for those who only dream and yearn for them. But as far as Sachin is concerned, he would not have been influenced by these things, rather the great occasion was a poignant combination of the great honour and the future vacuum, which he must have felt he would be in just after this ceremony, to him. The emptiness before Sachin was not ordinary because nothing in the world can delight him as much as cricket had been.
