Sachin Tendulkar: A phenomenon in a league of his own

The year 1989 was meandering along to another tame end for the Indian cricket team. Till November 1989, the Indian side had played 4 Test matches and had lost 3 of them. And when the year was about to draw to a close, the Indian side was slated to face their arch-rivals Pakistan in a grueling 4 match Test series on Pakistan soil.

But, apart from being a marquee Test series, this series also grabbed the spotlight for something else as well. For, a 16-year-old kid, by the name of Sachin Tendulkar was going to make his debut in international cricket. And, on 15th November 1989, Tendulkar walked onto the field for India for the very first time.

In his first Test match, Tendulkar faced up against possibly three of the greatest pacemen of all time. Pakistan boasted of a three-pronged pace attack, consisting of Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, and Waqar Younis. Well, if you have not seen these three men operating with the ball live, some number crunching will be of some help.

Together, Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, and Waqar Younis have scalped 1149 wickets in Test match cricket. Tendulkar’s first Test innings was not so eventful, as he was dismissed for just 15.

The first moment of Sachin Tendulkar’s greatness

The world got to witness the first moment of greatness from Sachin Tendulkar in the 4th Test match that took place at Sialkot. It was during this Test match, that Tendulkar was hit on the nose by a devastating bouncer from Waqar Younis, and his white shirt was soaked in red, with blood pouring out from his nose. But then, Tendulkar refused to give up and continued batting. For a 16-year-old kid to do that in a foreign land, against arguably the most fearsome bowling attack required courage.

And, not only did Tendulkar brave the hit to his nose, but he also scored a half-century on a pitch where the ball was nipping around and helped his country save the Test match.

The 1990s- The blossoming of the Sachin Tendulkar legend

Just 2 years later, Tendulkar dished out 2 classics in the land of the kangaroos. We will have to remember here that he was not yet 19 when he lorded over the Australian bowlers in their own backyard. If the classic 148* that he dished out in Sydney announced his talent loud and clear, the century at Perth told the world that here was a prodigy on his way to greatness.

Of course, if you have not witnessed the Perth special live, you have missed out on Genius unraveling itself to the world. With the ball zooming in on the bounciest wicket in the world, Tendulkar, just 5’5 in height stood tall to counter the bounce with backfoot punches and delectable cuts that a veteran of the sport would be proud of.

But then, it was the year 1998 that catapulted the Tendulkar phenomenon to a whole new level. By the time 1998 dawned upon, Tendulkar had established himself as one of the premier batsmen in world cricket. He had become the heartthrob of a nation, a nation that looked up to Tendulkar’s deeds with the willow to find solace. And, on 2 April nights in Sharjah, the ‘Little Master’ dished out two consecutive classics that gave the Australian side a run for their money.

And, another factor that contributed to the ethereal viewing experience was the voice of Tony Greig in the commentary box when Tendulkar played arguably two of the greatest knocks ever played by an Indian batsman in the history of ODI cricket.

With Tendulkar treating the likes of Shane Warne, Michael Kasprowicz, and Damien Fleming like net bowlers and playing shot after shot of intoxicating beauty, Tony Greig went berserk in the commentary box. ‘What a player’, screeched Greig at the top of his voice, as Tendulkar went about hammering the Aussie bowlers across the stadium. He scored 2 consecutive centuries in Sharjah against the kangaroos and helped India win the Coca-Cola Cup.

The mortal side of ‘God’

But then, was everything so cozy for the ‘God of cricket’? In the year 2004, Tendulkar was diagnosed with what was called the tennis elbow. Just like this writer, millions in India would have got familiar with the term only after Tendulkar was diagnosed with it. 15 years of struggle, 15 years of putting his body on the line, year after year were finally starting to take their toll on the master.

Tendulkar even stated that there was a stage where he was not even able to lift his cricket bat, the tool that had brought him unprecedented fame and success. But then, Tendulkar did not give up. And, in spite of the God-given talent, Tendulkar was willing to fight it out and sweat every day on the field.

And after the injury, he returned back to the field and played for his country for another 9 years. And that is what made Tendulkar a legend. He never gave up.

In the year 2010, in what can be termed as a ‘second coming’ of sorts, the master experienced his most fruitful year in his Test career. He scored 1562 runs in 23 innings in 2010 and scored his runs at an average of 78.10. Even in the ODI arena, Tendulkar rewrote history and became the first-ever batsman to notch up a double century. It was the 21st year in his career, and he was commanding the ball to wherever he wanted to at the age of 37.

Sachin Tendulkar gets hold of the Cup that eluded him

When he was pushing 38 years of age, Sachin Tendulkar participated in his 6th and last World Cup. There was unprecedented anticipation in the country, and the Indian cricket team had a potent side that could go on to win the trophy.

But, could they do it? Could they overcome all the odds and bear the pressure of a billion people to clinch the World Cup trophy? And more importantly, could Tendulkar get hold of that one trophy that had always managed to elude him?

Tendulkar was in surreal form throughout the tournament. The ‘Master Blaster’ plundered 482 runs during the tournament, and once again led India’s charge with the willow. And then, that moment came. On 2nd April 2011, the six that MS Dhoni hit sailed into the stands, as the Indian side lifted the coveted World Cup trophy. Tendulkar had finally fulfilled his dream, in the 22nd year of his international career.

The final goodbye

But then, even the cricketing ‘God’ was mortal. Someday, all this had to come to an end. And it did, in November 2013. The moment where an entire nation wept. The moment when the nation’s hero decided to stop doing what he loved doing the most. On 16th November 2013, Tendulkar walked onto the field for the last time in an Indian jersey. The whole of India had seen Tendulkar grow from a prodigy to an immortal cricketing colossus. And now here they were, witnessing his swansong.

And in his final flourish, Tendulkar did not disappoint. The grace and panache were still there. The resplendent straight drive down the ground was there for all to see, so was the backfoot punch that left the fielder at cover dazed.

He crossed the fifty-run mark, and the nation was waiting for him to sign off with a three-figure score. But then, every whim and fancy of the world does not materialize, right? When Tendulkar was batting on 74, Narsingh Deonarine’s delivery proved to be his undoing. Tendulkar nicked the ball to Darren Sammy, who took a blinder at slip. The entire stadium fell silent. Darren Sammy did not celebrate. And as Tendulkar walked back, there was a sense of finality to it.

It hit the fans that the way the match had panned out, the West Indies were not capable of making India bat again. Perhaps even Tendulkar realized it too, and he rose his bat to the crowd and was greeted with deafening applause from the stands. That was the final walk of the master from the cricket field, the place which he had considered a temple.

Why Sachin Tendulkar is in a league of his own

And now. Let us come to this final question. Why does Sachin Tendulkar occupy a pedestal of his own? Is it due to the numbers that he generated in his career?

Yes. His numbers are glittering, but someday even they lose their sparkle right?

So, what is it?

The answer is this. The whole of India got a sense of pride when Tendulkar created miracles on the field with the bat in hand. When the crowd indulged in the famous ‘Saaaaaacccchin Sachin’ chant, they were calling out to their hero, and they called out to him from the heart. His success gave the nation immense hope. And, it was the hope that Tendulkar provided to his people that made him the phenomenon who is venerated across the country even today.

And truly, even more than 7 years after his retirement, he is still India’s ‘God’, isn’t he?