Friday, October 17, 2008

Sachin becomes the highest run-getter in the Test and ODI formats of Cricket!

Another milestone for Sachin 'Record' Tendulkar to whom records get smitten as naturally as a bee takes itself to honey! At a very young age of 16 years and 206 days, making his debut on 15th Nov, 1989 against Pakistan, it has been a long and satisfying cricketing journey for the 'little master blaster'. Almost two decades later so much has changed in India but what remains unchanged is the amazing genius and humility of this great man. Obviously, someone will break Sachin's records one day as they are meant to be broken but at least for a year there is no doubt that he will reign as the undisputed king of cricket in both the called 'pure' formats viz ODIs and the Test cricket. He might as well silence the critics and appease the purists by excelling in the TT format too in the coming years. Nothing is too big for Sachin to dream if he wishes to set the records straight, something which he does not believe in as he plays for the amazing love and passion-driven zeal for the game and not to satisfy anyone else but himself the most.
The year when he made his debut, the 17-year old was interviewed about his fears in playing against the likes of greats like Marshall, Qadir, Akram etc and he replied wih a quiet confidence that he wil lface no problems at all. The skinny lad and a precocious talent that he was, it took few months for the greats like Border to realize that he will be setting many milestones in his future cricketing career. The centurion at Perth test match in 1991 and being the lone ranger in that inning dispelled any doubts regarding his genius. He contributed 118 out of India's paltry score of 240 in that inning and was dismissed as the ninth batter. Border predicted seeing his fearlessness, aggro, technique and technique that he will be a legend by the time he sees 25 summers. He has by now seen 35 summers ans is enjoying a demi-god status in India now. Sachinism is now almost a newfound religion for his die-hard fans. He remains revered and adored al across the globe and it was evident in the tears of the rookie Cameron White when he got the prized scalp of Sachin as his first Test victim. The huge crackers bursting at Mohali when he broke Lara's record to become the highest run-getter in test cricket and the standing ovation that he received after his scintillating knock of 88 of 111 balls bear a testimony to the fact that he is one of the most admired icons that India has ever produced. Almost all the big shots including the Big B, Lata Mangeshkar, President, PM etc. have congratulated this maestro on his latest record-breaking and another match-saving feat. He is now the first person to reach the 12000 plus runs milestone in the Test cricket in his 152nd test match. His 16,380 plus runs in ODI in 410 plus someone matches is already a big record by a huge magin. Obviously, he cannot be running after every record and maybe Ponting or someone else will break his record one day very soon. All said and done, the genius perhaps lives on till eternity in the cosmic resonances. The old order always giveth place to the younger ones. However, for the time being let all the cricket lovers celebrate this momentous occasion with full delight. I want to write more and more about Sachin but time constraint does not allow me. Sachin, you are simply non-pareil!