MUMBAI // When the dust had settled and tears momentarily dried, Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar separated from the pack of security guards, officials and photographers, and walked to the middle of the Wankhede Stadium all by himself.
When he reached the pitch, he bent down in supplication, and touched the soil with both hands, giving thanks. Tendulkar, who for 24 long years enthralled and inspired millions, was paying the ultimate respect to the game that had allowed him to be the man he is.
Time did not quite stop for the little man out in the middle, but as they had done over the years, a packed stadium and countless others watching on television held their breath. It was a Tendulkar moment, the magnitude of which sunk in.
On Saturday, a nation wept with Sachin as he bid farewell to the game he loved like life itself.
At the Wankhede Stadium, fans cried in the stands, and Sachin’s wife Anjali, who sported outsized sunglasses to try to maintain a modicum of calm, broke down, and even a kiss from daughter Sara could not console her.
“My life, between 22 yards for 24 years, it is hard to believe that that wonderful journey has come to an end,” began Tendulkar, after the crowd calmed down just enough to allow him to be heard.
The first person on a list Tendulkar carried, but scarcely referred to, was his father.
“My father gave me freedom at the age of 11, and told me that I should chase my dreams, but not look for short cuts. I have simply followed his instructions,” he said. “Every time I have done something special and showed my bat, it was for my father.”
Tendulkar wondered how his mother had coped with such a naughty son, and said the aunt and uncle who had housed him for four years so he could be close to his school and cricket were more like parents to him.
Nitin, Sachin’s eldest brother, was characterised by unconditional support and Savita, the sister, still fasted when he batted. Ajit, the brother most famous for identifying the spark, and nurturing it, was a co-traveller.
“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,” said Tendulkar. “But when I look back at all these things in my life, without them, I would have been a lesser cricketer.”
Anjali, who was perhaps the most emotional person at the ground, was sent over the edge when Tendulkar said she was the “most beautiful thing to happen to me” and added, “You are the best partnership I’ve had in my life.”
It is a good thing Tendulkar was on the field when Anjali was interviewed on television, for her words were no less poignant. “I can imagine cricket without Sachin,” she began, in a soft voice. “But I can’t imagine Sachin without cricket.”
To his children, Sara (16) and Arjun (14), Sachin apologised for not being around as much as he would have liked, and promised that “the next 16 years or even beyond that, everything is for you”.
To go through the list would be futile, and do injustice to one of the most stirring speeches witnessed on a cricket field. Coaches, teammates, physios, trainers, doctors, managers, reporters, photographers, all felt Tendulkar’s light touch, but the best, as always, was saved for the fans.
“I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart,” he said.
“Time has flown by rather quickly, but the memories will be with me forever and ever, especially ‘Sachin, Sachin’ which will reverberate in my ears till I stop breathing.”
The crowd responded as they knew best, chanting in one voice with a fervour and energy that surpassed any previous cheer.
When West Indies, who began the third day at 43 for three, collapsed embarrassingly to lose by an innings and 126 runs in less than half the scheduled duration of the match, the chanting was not as loud as when Tendulkar walked away.
And, retirement or not, you can be sure you have not heard it for the last time.
Anand Vasu is the managing editor of Wisden India
sports@thenational.ae
