“Sinners are spared while Sachin bats. Because even God is busy watching him”

It was my first time in the Garden of Eden. Yet to taste the forbidden fruit. I was only a clumsy teenager. Walking into the stands, identifying my seat- I was afraid to lose myself in the giant stadium. I clutched my father’s palm. Tight. I was there amid the madness. I was looking at the pavilion end. Some 70,000 odd people were transfixed. So was I. Perhaps just following suit… Maybe unknowingly mesmerized. Uproar! Hooters! A crowd bellowing welcome greeting- and from the pavilion alighted a short, calm figure with a huge bat. This is Sachin Tendulkar? The Tendulkar?

He looked up to the sky, his helmet adorned head searched for some assurance above. Can Sachin ever be nervous? I saw him being so. For a few seconds. Then he flashed the unmistakable smile to the stands- the giant screen showed him walking down the green blood of Eden! The 22 yard suddenly seemed more complete. He took his guard. And for the first time I realized what national pride meant.

It was not how he batted, it was not how he made square-cut seem a suave move, it was not how his hook hypnotized even the opponent- But it was purely his presence. He is a batsman- whose shadow breathes cricket. You look at him and you live cricket. He is born to India- And he truly changed the concept of unity in diversity. He gave us one religion and one God. He gave us phrases. He gave us idioms. He gave us songs. He gave us reasons to smile. He is no less than a warrior!

Yes he faltered. He was never the best captain India had. He had his share of bad patches. He saw a period of lull- but all these combine to make him more real, more palpable, and more rooted.

My words do fail me today….:

A sun that never sinks…on the brink of Wankhede…

A willow that is blessed with tears of joy

An assurance like a mother’s lap!

Warmth that seeps into every dreamer…

A nightmare to the strongest opponent…

Such an unassuming man- such a warm presence

Yet he could rob sleep of a six feet tall pacer

He could awe his own challenger!

No matter what the spinner bought out of his crafted wrist

His blade has an answer to all!

Sand storm took a fitting farewell

When Sharjah rocked with his sixers.

A century was never bigger than the deceased father

He is a man. True to his being.

Steel bangle, curled hair, a thousand watt smile.

Sa--chin…Sa--chin….Sa--chin….Sa--chin…-

Enchantment and heart beat of every blue blood!

He is not a cricketer- He is cricket personified.

The world has been envious- awed.  Time and again

TENDULKAR cannot retire.

He only can walk out to belong forever.

I won’t miss you.

 I’d only live forever in the inexhaustible memories.

So will India. And the world.