Yes, that is his legacy. What is Sachin actually? He is an institution, a phenomenon, a colossal personality and a towering figure. I have had the privilege of watching him since the day he started his illustrious career in 1989 at Karachi, and fortunately, Krishnamachari Srikkanth, the current Chairman of selection committee and captain of that Pakistan series was all smiling from the gallery. That “baby-faced 16-year-old boy” has become so giant that the great pundits of cricket just praise this genius. He did what no one has done.
He accomplished what no one has accomplished. And he made us feel so proud what no one has done so far. Can anyone think 152 Tests and 418 ODIs with 12,027 and 16,361 runs and 39 and 42 centuries from anyone but Sachin? Such is the stamina and zeal to play so long and so consistently. Many in his lifetime came and vanish but the master is still going great guns.
Since then, for so long year, we have been watching him dominating the field. Earlier, the master blaster used to be so belligerent, so attacking and so aggressive that bowlers prayed for his exit, or just he would make any mistake. We never satisfied anything less than a century from Sachin. That is the standard he has set for himself. The magical pull on the back foot that he shots has been extraordinary, or the straight drive past the bowler, or his loft over the extra cover, or his hook over square leg, or sweeps down the fine leg boundary – all are class act.
The generations will remember Friday 17 October when the greatest batsman the world cricket has ever seen scaling the highest pinnacle of cricket summit. That was the day when Sachin became the highest scorer in Test cricket, breaking Brian Lara’s record. Now he is the highest run scorer in Test, ODI as well as maximum number of centuries in both form of the game.
It was simply amazing and so satisfying – not only for the master blaster, but also for millions of fans across the world. Once in a lifetime such moments come. And we have waited for it to happen, and it happened. He has inspired a whole generation and has given a whole new dimension to cricket. Many are busy aping his grand style, many are dreaming to reach his feats, and many are thinking of making their sons as Sachin. He is a living example for millions of households where parents ask their sons to achieve success like that of Sachin.
His humble nature, his amicable approach and his friendly attitude towards his colleagues set him apart from others. Always miles away from controversy, Sachin always concentrated on his game. And he is very right when he said: “You should turn the stone thrown at you into milestone.”
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