Essays

The living legend of the cricket-world, the true heir of Sir Brad man and the batsman par excellence was born on April 24, 1973 in Mumbai in a middle class family. In fact, he was named after the family's favourite music director, Sachin Dev Burman. He was sent to Sharadashram Vidhydmandir School where the fever of cricket caught him at the tender age of 11. In a match for Harris Shield, he made a huge partnership of 664 runs with his friend and international team-mate, Vinod Kambli. In 1988, he scored a 100 not out, his first-ever century in a first class.

His first international appearance was against Pakistan at Peshawar, in an abandoned one-day match where he crushed Abdul Qadir and Co, He made his international debut at the age of 16 against Pakistan at Karachi where Waqar Younis howled him out at a mere score of 15 runs. Incidentally, Waqar Younis too had made his debut in that very match. In the next innings, he scored his maiden Test 50 at Paisalabad. However, the rest of the series went quietly by but by then Sachin had showed all the potential signs of a great cricketer. The determination, the strong will power, the ease of this young lad from Mumbai, against such a tough side impressed one and all.

His One Day International debut was even more disappointing. This time Waqar Younis dismissed him without any run. He then went on to a (our of New Zealand where he was caught at 88 by the former Indian Coach, John Wright. Tendulkar here lost a chance of becoming the youngest centurion in Test cricket. Later in 1990 in his tour of England, he finally scored a Test century But it was in 1991-92 during his tour to Australia that he made his presence felt as a true and a great batsman.

Since then Sachin has performed remarkably and played great cricket—both Inside and outside India, He has been selected as Man of the Match 13 times in Test cricket and four times as Man of the Series - both times in Border-Gavasakar Trophy against Australia. Sachin's first ODI century was made on September 9, 1994 against Australia at Colombo. His performance has been beyond imagination with a great record of 51 Test centuries and 48 centuries in One-Day Internationals.

Sachin has become a sports icon for not only the youngsters of the nation but also across the globe. At a young age of 19, Sachin was invited as an overseas player by the Yorkshire County of England for the first time in 130 years. He also has to his honour the highest number of runs in One-Day Internationals and the maximum.

Although, he is a top-order batsman, rather an opening batsman to be exact, Sachin has proved himself useful for the country at any position. He has also proved to be an effective wicket taker in time of need as a off-break bowler Sachin is at his best even at taking wickets- He has 45 Test wickets to his credit and has a bowling average above 40. He also has another record of playing Test Matches on 52 different grounds ahead of Azharuddin and Kapil Dev. Moreover, he holds a record with Brian Lara to score the fastest 10,000 mighty runs in just 195 innings.

In the 2011 World Cup tournament Sachin contributed 482 runs, including two centuries. After India defeated Sri Lanka in the finals and lifted the World Cup Trophy, Sachin commented, "Winning the world cup is the proudest moment of my life... I couldn't control my tears of joy.”

In 1997. he was awarded the Wisden 'Cricketer of the Year' and again in 1999/ 2001 and 2002, Sachin, in fact, is the only player to score a century in Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy and Irani Trophy debut Matches. He has also been awarded the country's highest sporting honour - The Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna in 1997-98. He has been given the Padma Shri in 1999. In 2002, he was chosen as the Asian Hero' and appeared on the cover of the famous Times magazine.

A low-tide came in Tendulkar's career when he was made the captain of the Indian team. The burden of leading the team disturbed his natural game. Luckily, Sachin has been relieved from that burden now and so now he can just concentrate on playing outstanding cricket. On personal front, Tendulkar is married to Anjali Mehta, a Gujarati doctor in 1998.

Sachin has been a devout family man and has been blessed with two children Arjun and Sara. Sachin though being in the cricketing lime-light has very respectfully guarded his private life with great sanctity. Today, Tendulkar is the hero of an average Indian boy and also a hero of the world. He is idolized and worshipped by millions of fans over the world and will continue to be so tor years to come.