This might be one of my thoughts which is not at all timed in many aspects. But letting my personal interests to be in my table, there are some thoughts which i would like to pass to all cricket lovers. Accept it or just dump it like a girl do with a boy's proposal. :)
Sachin Tendulkar- One word that defines it all. I am not here to make an analysis on what his qualities are, but just to look upon certain things which could probably occur in some period of time. Border-Gavaskar trophy is going on and having India already claimed the series, what actually i look forward as an Indian fan is nothing less than a whitewash. But the second day of fourth test is just making a subject to think about- Sachin.Why now? Team has already won the series. Whats wrong with him. Let him play his natural game. There are certain points of debate i would probably bring in.
After the World Cup victory everyone was on heaven's height. Of course it was a proud moment for Indian cricket and Indian regaining the title. But there was no discussion on Sachin's retirement at that point of time even though many Indian players including Dhoni himself suggested before the world cup that the Title was meant for Sachin, which went in the right way. But Indians were brought back to real world by England and Australia when Indians toured there. By the end of each tours the call for retirement of seniors came up. Former players and analysts felt it was time up for seniors to hang their boots. Dravid hung his boots and it was expected since his thoughts were that, he considered one series at a time. Laxman went rather unexpectedly which was an unlucky decision for fans and cricket lovers. Not to forget there is still no proper replacement at number 6 after Ganguly left, which was a dark day of Indian cricket by the way he called off from duty.
The first test of Border-Gavaskar trophy was a great sign of relief for the fans in which Sachin showed his class and many of us thought he would rule the so-called weakest bowling attack of Australia. But apart from that 81 there hasn't been big scores from him. So how is he going to proceed from here. There is an African series coming up and to make matters worse the bowling unit of south Africans is one hack of a problem everywhere. Taking from the positive side of ongoing series a fan can hope India would do the unexpected there and Dhoni and his team would lift the trophy(Keeping fingers crossed). What if it happens in the expected way. The question of Sachin's retirement would come up again.
So this is where I point out some recent happenings in cricket. It all started with Dravid announcing his retirement from ODI in England. He made his final knock a memorable one with almost a full packed crowd putting a standing ovation when he got out and Trott taking off his cap before he shook hands with the wall.
A player who was known for his records in tests was indeed more qualified to receive a better once for his last test. But unluckily that didn't happen and on one fine morning he announced his retirement before some media representatives.
Forgive me for not mentioning Laxman because it hurts many fans like me when talking about his retirement. So what i came through next was Ponting who was said as the next biggest player in Australia after Don called off his career. He too was unlucky being dropped from ODIs before he made a call for himself. But his retirement from tests was rather colorful in the way it happened(not the result). He was applauded by a passionate crowd. Even Nathan Lyon can't forget the applause he received that was meant for Ponting. Smith and his Co greeted him with honorary guard and it was a pleasant sight for a cricket lover.
Not after a big time gap Mr.Cricket too hung his boots. It was a double blow for Australian cricket in every aspect since they were not expecting it, at least we people here were not. But for God's sake his retirement was on a winning note and he held his head high as a champion who fulfilled his destiny.
It was really an awesome sight scoring the winning runs in his last test match and leave like retirement was never his plan. But rather unexpectedly he was not picked for the one-day series.
So coming back to Sachin. It was one black day for Indian cricket when Sachin announced his retirement from shorter format when Delhi was burning. It was hurting for a cricket fan because he went way when 1 billion people went ready to stand up and salute the champion for his contributions that is never matching to any others. what more hurting was that some political thoughts made it a cover for government's escape attitude towards the Delhi rape victim. Not to go in detail, it was a bad day in many ways. We made a mistake. So is Sachin? He never wanted to have people's attention, but his decision was indeed unlucky for us more than Sachin himself.
So what’s next. A projected whitewash in Africa could make the Champion think again about his future plans. Indeed all that we can hope for is his hard work ends up in positive result. But if not, can we pay the price for watching him calling up a press meet and announce his retirement? I pray it won't happen at any cost. Even if it is in a losing cause there should be a google image for Sachin's last test with the entire ground giving him the 'Guard of Honour'. Each and everyone knows who Sachin was, and who Sachin is for India. And 'what Sachin has to' is above all.. The 'Never Say Die ' attitude won't vanish from his mind and his passion would go on forever. But each cricket fan has the ambition to salute him and applaud him like nothing for one last time when he makes a call. Be it in Africa or any other nation. Before He gets ready for what the unacceptable we thought for years, it is people who should prepare for. It's not about youngsters. Its not about replacements. It’s all about gratitude of a cricket crazy nation for their "Cricket GOD".
