Tell me you don't have a Maharashtrian friend called Sachin? Sach is the impact of sach he inspired a generation of parents to carry forward his legacy. Measuring just about close to the crotch of Curtly Ambrose, Sachin (now 100dulkar) has been fearless, aggressive, defiant and just about as middle class as any maharashtrian who lost his job since the textile mills in lower parel closed down. Tendulkar's career spans an era when Indian cricketers still used coconut shells as abdominal gaurds, covered by zipped pants and no branding to this day when cricket and cricketers have become brands in motion and still tendulkar true to his grass roots pays respect with half a Scot and the occasional ball-guard tampering.
Anyways the smallest Maratha made his debut against Pakistan in 1989 just about the time that Kashmir militancy began. Pakistan unleashed its long range ballistic bowlers Waqar and Wasim and its mid range missile Abdul Qadir. In the hope of exploiting his adolescence Pakistani arsenal unleashed its best but little tendulkar reminiscent of the Mogul era was hell bent on doing a shivaji and he did. From this series what he will really be remembered for is the nerve it took to get up to waqar younis after being hit on the nose, so he got hit, fell down, got up wiped the blood and took stance again, Frustrated by this defiance, Pakistan decided to send in more infiltrators into Kashmir, so it began 1989: The arrival of tendulkar and the reign of terror in Kashmir.
As tendulkar grew from strength to strength, the other players sub consciously outsourced the onus of victory on this yet to be man young player. The boy still took it head on. If there is any debate as to why he is great, I will credit the honor in attribution to his career between 1996 to 2000. Back then it was Tendulkar Vs Rest of the world. That was the moment of truth, Ultimately I realized Why was tendulkar the player who had to adjust his abdominal guard the most- Cause he has Balls of steel. For the long and fiery innings he played the friction produced more heat than others would ever know.
Not to say that he stopped winning us matches as he grew older but tendulkar has his fair share of criticisim, much to his credit. Yes he did slow down playing when nearing a hundred. Dint play too many match winning innings in the last years of his cricket but you know what Indians love him, he can take a walk in a thong on the pitch and people will still love him. Marking the 100th 100 of the man today, so what if it came against Bangladesh? he hit 99 before that right?
My prediction is 100 years from now if Shiv Sena is still a political party, Sachin tendulkar will replace Shivaji as the mascot.
Just a gentle suggestion to the great: You have done a lot and the country looks up to you, please dont Fuck your years of reputation with long hair and straightening. Shoaib Akhtar is already the bonafied Eunuch of world cricket. You looked better with your Jonny Lever hair style.
