Simply Sachin !

There are three primary reasons which brought me back to my blog after a long time. I am writing this:

1) To signify the importance of an epic that has been created by a legend, that I have been lucky enough to witness in my life.

2) To put a full stop to all rubbish that so called critics of Sachin keep prattling about!

3) Not to disappoint few of my dearest friends, who invariable expect from me an article or a snippet on Sachin, after his exploits.

4) and finally, I just recovered from a bout of the extended attack – Attack of Cynicism

I hate it sometimes, when people speak without knowing the facts, my role then shifts from an arguer to a statistician trying to convince people about what was their misconception (based on factual stats of course!). But one thing I am always happy about is there is no dearth of support when it comes to defending Sachin, as there are more intellectuals than ignorants amongst the Indian cricket fans!

The apotheosis of Sachin by his fans is the only way they can show their gratitude for all the entertainment from him over the years and which makes them all proud, for, it all has come from a fellow country man. We had a good sleep when he scored; we felt proud for his success and mourned his failure. As one of my friends said, "Take the happiness index When Sachin scores a hundred and rank it, I am sure India will be numero Uno !" When he was down, some of his own team mates who once shared the dressing room with him wanted him to take the exit door saying that he is no more wanted! He never for once resented the animadversions of his critics. He waited and believed in himself carrying the hopes of billion others who wanted him to bounce back and do well and answer all the criticism. He did that once, twice and every time when the time was against him. That is the nerve of a man. His ardour for the game he loved never sank making a trivial few even believe him to be bigger than the game. He always emphasized though, that he never was or will be bigger than the game! Such was his humbleness. Like it or not, his name is for sure, to go down in the annals as the greatest of his time.

Amidst all the gloom that otherwise I saw around me during the past week, it indeed was an exhilarating experience for me when Sachin Tendulkar, the iconic “Human Being” surpassed a humongous milestone. Humongous not due to the enormity of the task itself but the super weight of expectations of Crores of “Knowledgeable & Expert” Indians. Everyone in India seems to have an opinion and strategy when it comes to Cricket.

I love cricket but by no means be classified (at least not these days) amongst those fanatic lovers of the game putting the world on Pause button. But what he gifted to the mankind is something that cannot be brushed away so easily. And remember in a country where dreams of the entire nation are driven by 70 year old politicians, at 39 years, it indeed is a weight of expectation no ordinary Human Being can bear without cracking up. And here he is a great guy who did not crack up for over 2 long decades. And by God! He did handle his success like no God did and my admiration goes up manifold for this. Mythology has lot of stories where even some Gods had to pay a price for their haughtiness.

The 100th 100 jokes were very cruel on someone who was a sincere student of the game. Did we ever hear an instance of arrogance or misbehaviour from this legend, who could have had the world at his feet? And when he did get there, it was ironical. We had an effort for a losing cause. But I give a damn. Someone who is our own is right up there – extremely lonely at the top. We only can look up and admire (or alternately pelt stones).

People tried to link all they could, whenever there is an argument about him. Ball tampering acquisitions/Waiver of customs duty on his Ferrari/Bharata ratna Debate/Failure as a Captain, every one tried to cast aspersions on his character. No denying that he has had his quirks, and that is the reason why I kept stressing the “Human Being” aspect of him. Though what he achieved is nothing short of what a “God” could have done. Folks, Gimme a break! Take out each of those 100s and we never know what could have happened! No one bandied statistics on this. Look at statistics of matches India lost and his scores too to get the real and overall picture. And the bashers would do well to also look at statistics of any other Indian or foreign cricketers. He is not just shoulders above the rest – a whole height. I felt I had a second life when one of friends introduced me to a blog of guy from Indian statistical institute who analysed Sachin’s career threadbare and concluded why he is, what he is ! Till then, I only relied on stats guru from cricinfo and some statistics stuff which I learned in my MBA to understand the numbers and for an insight in to them. Numbers don't lie, and there is a method to look at them. People who say he scored centuries against smaller teams should have a relook at his career and before that, if they mean to draw a direct reference to his ability to bat against stronger teams, why consider only his hundreds, even his 90s are as good! Leave aside all the numbers, coz no one is going to beat his numbers if they compare!

Looking back I know this Gentleman would realize that despite all this achievements it indeed is a thankless world. Definitely this is a feather in the cap as compared to the other shameful achievements that we otherwise are known for in the world – Scams, Rapes, Female Infanticides, and Murders. Let us allow these positive achievements to swamp the negative ones. We as a nation owe it to ourselves. What this great man has achieved is no small feat. The whole world is looking up and saluting this Little-Big man. Let us at least be indifferent if not supportive. Criticism is simply out of place.