10DULKAR: Cricket, Childhood, Confessions and The Champion!

I am re-reading the whole post before publishing, and I feel I am listening to a guy who is sounding like he just got moved to a new place because his dad had a transfer, like he lost his wife because of an unfair divorce, a girl who just lost part of his heart somewhere in the mist, a guy who is sitting at the bar counter vulnerable as ever and preaching out all that he has in his system for he can't fight it anymore.. Yes!! We all feel the same way! Yes! Our childhood is officially over now!                                                                 

             Don't know where to begin with. Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar! special part of me, a special part for everyone that grew up with a cricket bat and a television set their disposal during the 90s. And I am really fortunate that I grew up watching the master.
             My first cricket series? Sharjah cup 1998! Yes the bludgeoning Tendulkar! And that sweet sound of ball hitting the willow off Damien Flemings ball, and behind the mike Tony Greig!! Doesnt get any better than this. Why wouldn't you fall in love with this game?

CONFESSION 1: I must thank my brother for loving Cricket without him I wouldn't have been introduced to this masterclass (yeah of course, sooner or later I would have been there but the timing was perfect! Sharjah 1998!)

             I was in 1st standard, and could barely identify numbers. But yes! that man there on TV screen, the same man whose Colgate Smile poster was on my wall (my brother put it there), his smiling face behind the grill, and that dancing crowd after his every single swing of bat made me look awestruck at everyone, I would stare at everyone in the room, they were happy and so was I seeing them that way, must be 'some' festival I thought initially. But by the time India reached final, I was ready! I could answer that all important question, 'Tendlya ne kiti kele?' (How many did Tendulkar score?).

CONFESSION 2: I never knew MRF was a Tyre manufacturer till 2003-04 maybe, I thought all they did was make Cricket bats for Sachin Tendulkar!! (till I saw Steve Waugh, Lara and then S. Sreeram).

CONFESSION 3: Even today the likes of Rohit Sharma when they play with that Adidas sticker bat I feel they must have stolen it from the champion's kit bag 

             And thus it began, my share of this cherry on top of the cricketing world! Sometimes I wonder he must hate that fruit, 'cause he hits that Red-Cherry so hard and long with that bat of his with a MRF sticker!

CONFESSION 4: I once tried copying his stance, I felt like I was doing perfectly okay, but then a friend came across and said, 'Ditto Tatenda Taibu'. I was like 'what??' (one of the reasons, I started playing Football maybe *wink*)

              Most of the kids born in late 80s, early 90s had at least once in their lifetime thought of this, 'I will grow up and become Sachin Tendulkar!' It was magical or viral. Whatever you may call it but it was beautiful. Just to fight with your dad for a cricket bat and not any other but a MRF cricket bat! That little duck he does when he comes to crease, the way he takes his guard, looks up towards the sky, that simple acknowledgement when reaching a milestone, keeping track of his records, the way he would swivel his hand while bowling so the bracelet would sit tightly on his forearm. Following all that gave a special feeling, the feeling of being a hero in yourself!

CONFESSION 5: I get really really nervous when the opposition ranks bring on a debutant to bowl to Sachin, I knew he will whack McGrath through covers, paddle sweep Warne, On drive Damien Fleming, flick off the pads to Malinga but a certain Paul Riffle or a Monty Panesar! they would scare me. Add to it those slingy left armers Collins (W. Indies), M. Johnson (Aus), James Franklin (NZ).

              I don't remember any other player who has been victim to debutants (24 year long career, its bound to happen but it scared me), Monty Panesar, jacob Oram, Waqar Younis, Alan Donald the list goes on and on. (According to stats on web, Eleven players have Sachin as their 1st dismissal and further 10 have dismissed on their debut but not as their first wicket. 9 players have him as their first ODI wicket, and a further five have dismissed him on their debut but as 2nd or subsequent wicket). But he was a masterclass who perished the best of the best and yeah I hated Ganguly too (I was bit naive then, we all are at such tender age), How many times he has sent Tendulkar back from half way down the pitch.

CONFESSION 6: I believed my TV setting (i.e. Volume level, display settings, Channel DD/ESPN) affected Tendulkar's success in a match.

CONFESSION 7: Later on, I started believing, If I watch him play he would get out cheaply, so sometimes I would change the channel and follow the match on cricinfo. [This belief was boosted by the fact that, on 24.02.2010 I was sitting in CCD watching India bat, was short on money so Me and my friend ordered the cheapest items possible, and sat there, making sure we ate as slowly as we could. As we left he was on 36* Then we went to college gymkhana told everyone to get home and watch him play!! And both of us sat there like Idiots, by the time I reached home Sachin was 189*]. I still carry that CCD bill with me as a momento of that day

             But on the way through, along with all the beliefs don't know how and when superstitions started to creep in. When Sachin would hit that cheesy cover drive, I would just go still and sit like that for manier overs till the ball goes past his edge (that means change of position, this one has ran out of luck). And like that I would keep on changing places and roam around in my tiny little place. I remember Sydney Test, 241*. I couldnt feel my right elbow, because right through his innings i had been resting on my Right arm. Just to rest during Lunch and Tea.

CONFESSION 8: I switch off my TV, if he gets out, I haven't seen any of the recent ODI cricket matches after the master blaster retired, but I stop at Ten Cricket/Star Cricket if they are showing any of Sachin's famous innings. [I can tell virtually everything about Tendulkar's 143 Vs Sharjah, 98 vs Pak in 2003 and many more like this]

             I can never imagine cricket without this graceful gentleman, his elegance on and off the field, the respect he earned for himself and for our nation over the years. The joy he brings just by showing up on television screen. I feel like a loser for not being there during IPL/ World Cup final / the 200th test. This one thing I will regret forever, for never watching him play from the stands. I must be one of his worst fans ever!!

CONFESSION 9: YES!! I Do Believe in GOD! I Do Believe Sabka Maalik Ek!! Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar

             It's strange, I am a guy, who goes to temples and see people pray, closing their eyes, muttering something. It baffles me everytime I see it. Who are they talking to? Who is listening? But whenever he is at the crease at scores like 8, 10, 16, 36, 67, 79, 83, 87, 93, 97, 99 (these are the scores I fear the most); It gets me nervous, I fold my hands, start muttering please don't don't! I wonder who I was praying to? I don't know, I don't care as long as he is ticking it along.
             One game, One religion and One God! The only one who can bring elites and amateurs,  all under one roof! With just three words. 'Sachin kitna maara?'

CONFESSION 10: No more of all this written above, No more of madness, No more of the cheers, No more of those raised arms, No more of Cricket But one thing is for sure, 10DULKAR FOREVER!! 

 

-Vishal Vijay Talavanekar