What is the similarity between Anil Kumble, Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman, Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar?????They represent a period when India was begining to assert itself in the International cricket arena.They are represent an era for youngsters like me who grew up idolizing them.Now that era is drawing to a close with Anil Kumble & Sourav Ganguly retiring.Rahul Dravid is expected to follow the suit soon.Only VVS Laxman & Sachin Tendulkar is expected to carry on for a couple of more years.
That leads to the favorite topic of all cricket lovers in India. When will sachin retire? for a unabashed sachin fan like me he should continue to play forever but unfortunately that is not possible in real life much less in cricket. As sachin himself has hinted many times that he would consider playing till 2011 world cup which now seems quite a realistic possibility. As sachin is now 35 he can play for a couple of more years based on current form. He might not be in his prime but is certainly far ahead of the rest. Also like every other sachin follower i also want him reach such a position where his records are beyond the reach of any other person. Ricky pointing is a certain threat at least in tests. But ultimately the man is beyond any statistical numbers and is a pure joy to watch. The years might have taken toll on him but his straight drive even today remains a pure joy to watch. The media and public are always behind his blood finding flaws in his technique, questioning his commitment or ability to handle pressure & perform in the finals of big tournaments but the fact remains that sachin is judged by standards that he has set for himself which is not less than a century in each match failing in which his performance is criticized. This is best illustrated in the recently concluded chennai test against mumbai. Shewag’s blistering half century was considered match winning but in a bygone era, a century against pakistan in the same venue by sachin when he fell only when few runs short of a Indian victory was considered as the proof that he was a chocker. It also highlights the evolution of indian team from a one man army to a team of individuals who are all match winners as in tests a single mans performance is not enough to win the match for his team. That being said the day sachin retires i promise that i would stop watching cricket. You may question my commitment towards indian cricket team but i am a strong sachin fan rather than a fan of indian cricket team. It might be wrong to put a man above the team but that’s my view and i won’t change it. Good luck sachin continue playing till your body permits you there will be countless people like me who will steadfastly be standing is your defense.
P.S: If you ask me what was the first match you remember seeing from childhood i don’t remember. But if you rephrase and ask who is the first cricketer you remember seeing i would answer that it was sachin playing his trademark straight drive which made me become his die hard supporter...
That leads to the favorite topic of all cricket lovers in India. When will sachin retire? for a unabashed sachin fan like me he should continue to play forever but unfortunately that is not possible in real life much less in cricket. As sachin himself has hinted many times that he would consider playing till 2011 world cup which now seems quite a realistic possibility. As sachin is now 35 he can play for a couple of more years based on current form. He might not be in his prime but is certainly far ahead of the rest. Also like every other sachin follower i also want him reach such a position where his records are beyond the reach of any other person. Ricky pointing is a certain threat at least in tests. But ultimately the man is beyond any statistical numbers and is a pure joy to watch. The years might have taken toll on him but his straight drive even today remains a pure joy to watch. The media and public are always behind his blood finding flaws in his technique, questioning his commitment or ability to handle pressure & perform in the finals of big tournaments but the fact remains that sachin is judged by standards that he has set for himself which is not less than a century in each match failing in which his performance is criticized. This is best illustrated in the recently concluded chennai test against mumbai. Shewag’s blistering half century was considered match winning but in a bygone era, a century against pakistan in the same venue by sachin when he fell only when few runs short of a Indian victory was considered as the proof that he was a chocker. It also highlights the evolution of indian team from a one man army to a team of individuals who are all match winners as in tests a single mans performance is not enough to win the match for his team. That being said the day sachin retires i promise that i would stop watching cricket. You may question my commitment towards indian cricket team but i am a strong sachin fan rather than a fan of indian cricket team. It might be wrong to put a man above the team but that’s my view and i won’t change it. Good luck sachin continue playing till your body permits you there will be countless people like me who will steadfastly be standing is your defense.
P.S: If you ask me what was the first match you remember seeing from childhood i don’t remember. But if you rephrase and ask who is the first cricketer you remember seeing i would answer that it was sachin playing his trademark straight drive which made me become his die hard supporter...
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