Thank you Sachin

As a guy who born in 1984 and who followed cricket from 1992, Cricket means mostly SACHIN for me. When I ask for match status to anyone, the next question from me will be "what is SACHIN's score?". Because SACHIN's score is what I was more interested with. In the duration between 1994-2001, I mostly turn off tv and lost hope when SACHIN gets out. I'm not wrong most of the times. That's when Indian cricket fans used to call him "One man army". I follow cricket - I follow SACHIN. Both are almost equal for Indian cricket fan at that time.

In the last 24 years of cricket many players won the matches for India. But they all are kind of came and gone. No one carried the expectations of cricket fans like SACHIN did. Lets say SACHIN scores between 30-50 runs in 10 innings with an avergare of 40, people will tell that he lost his form. In international cricket avg of 40 will never be bad. But the expectations on SACHIN will be so high that anything less than Cenury will be considered as bad performance. That is the standard set by SACHIN's game in last 24 years. There were lot of good cricketers in that period but durability & consistency will separate SACHIN with REST OF THE PLAYERS.

In India people speak around 20 languages, but cricket is one of the easiest language to start a conversation. When Jhonty Rhodes took a controversial catch of SACHIN in late 90s, I turned off tv and started walking to my friend's home. Suddenly a unknown guy walking next to me asked "That was a wrong decision by 3rd umpire rite?". I was little surprised. I never know that guy and he doesn't have a chance to know whether I followed the match till that time or not, but still he started conversation. We continued that discussion for next couple of minutes till I reach my friend's home. That is what cricket in INDIA. Without SACHIN, I don't see the face of cricket will be like this today. SACHIN was the reason for mass following and SACHIN will be the inspiration for many youngsters who are carrying cricket in INDIA now.

The unique quality of SACHIN is his best comes out against the best teams of the world. When the challenge gets tougher, he performs well against the challenges. Playing against Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, England at their home soil is the toughest challenge for Indian batsman. SACHIN scored centuries in all those countries even in his first series at those countries. He scored centuries by facing bowlers like Walsh, Ambrose, Warne, Muralitharan, Steyn, Akram, Donald, Akthar, Saqlain, Vettori etc., Mcgrath may be the exception who troubled SACHIN, Other than that no bowler ever dominated SACHIN which is quite impressive in the career span of 24 years.

If the purpose of sports is the entertainment, SACHIN is by far the the best entertainer in the last 24 years. If the purpose of sport is pride, SACHIN made Indians proud across the world. Even though it is 24 years long, my heart still asks "Why not for some more years?". It is hard to believe that SACHIN is past of Indian cricket. In any moment of my life, if I fall short of motivation, SACHIN is the one I will look up to for inspiration. Health and Consistency are highest priority for me in life. Who else will be the better example other than SACHIN. For all those wonderful memories and all the entertainment, Thank You SACHIN.