I was too young to understand the rules. I was too young to be interested in a game played by grown up, matured men. But every body else at home would switch on the TV and spend hours watching 22 men running, jumping, hitting a ball on a packed stadium, in a game of cricket. I grew up watching the same, I grew up watching "Sachin". It was always an unseen euphoria, when ever that "big" to me, tiny to others padded up guy walked out of the dressing room holding that bat onto the field. And the next few ours were pure bliss. I slowly started understanding the rules, admiring the shorts and infallibly became a fan, admirer and follower of Sachin. There was something about him beyond cricket, his presence on field was always mesmerizing and no matter how worse the state the game was in, his presence was always reassuring. Never felt the same for any other cricketer. Ever! For me soon, cricket and Sachin became synonymous. I can't image one with out the other. I can't imagine a day when he would not be playing and I am watching the game. His charm, charisma and talent were addictive! Equally. When ever he used to bat down the order, I used pray for the bats man to get out, so I can watch sachin playing. I do not know what sachin means to Indian cricket, but for me Indian cricket means Sachin.
I skipped classes, exam preparation and dinner invites to see him play. Each time he drives that white ball beyond that extra cover, leaving a six shadowed man chasing it under that flood light uselessly, I would smile. Involuntarily! And like an action replay, he wold repeat it, nonetheless. He would make the greatest and more fearsome bowlers the world has to offer look silly. Loved by all, admired by each, respected by everyone, probably he is the only Baadshah who never had an enemy, yet concurred every single man.
Today Sachin retired. For me it meant either cricket as a game ended in the world or the world does not exist anymore for it to be played. But he retired. A man of his character, determination, charm and talent may not ever will be playing the game again. His absence will create an un-fillable void in the cricket lovers. Cricket now will be like a Rasagolla, that dried, it might still taste sweet, look white but can never be a Rasogolla again. With Sachin, I announced my retirement as an ODI viewer, and will never watch a game of ODI again. For me the the Rasgulla is not only dry but it cant taste sweet anymore. I am lucky to have grown up watching this maestro and his humble character.
Probably he is the only man in cricket whom even Rajnikath can't dare to bowl to. I am proud, I grew up watching cricket, I grew up watching Sachin!
Truly
Abinash
