A tribute to Tendulkar ....

[zen]

I always wanted to do this but never got a chance as much of the my here time was spent discussing with his fanboys. I may not get much time to post here in future so thought why not do this now. Better late than never .... As you know, I am not much in to the 100th 100 hype and the way he played to get it but it takes nothing away from the man who has served Indian cricket for over 2 decades. It's hard not to be repetitive as all the praise has been showered (and rightly so) on the man born to play the greatest game in the world. I don't have to mention this game on the ICF :P The Sidhu's take posted here reminded me of how exciting it was to watch Tendulkar in his early days. The mind starts flashing with the 4 sixes he hit of Qadir and thus announced his arrival at world stage in a grand style in ODIs. Talking about playing against Pak, the way he used to smash Wasim Akram and company in cameos at Sharjah was superb. If I recall correctly, the first game India got its 300 (after a long wait) was at Sharjah against Pak where he and Sidhu got 100s, along with Azhar playing a cameo. And who can forget the 'desert storm' innings. Other memorable performances were in 1996 and 2003 World Cup .So effective he is in this format that he is the best batsman from his generation in ODIs, along with being amongst the top 2 of all time. The other being none other than the equally great Sir Vivian Richards. The desert storm also reminds me of the famous test series against Aus in 1998 where he dominated Warne and helped Mumbai win against Aus as well. Other memorable knock was his 100 against Pak at Chennai. Single handedly he brought India close to victory fighting back pain towards the later part of his innings. As time went by, Tendulkar's batting changed as well. There was a time when Dravid had gone on to become number 1 in tests and that probably inspired Tendulkar to tighten up his game a little and being a bit more risk averse but still effective and exciting. Such were his exploits that even Don (rated by many as the best test batsman of AT) has supposedly asked his wife to see Sachin play on TV and say this is how he probably played! With millions (or billions!) of fans around the world and rising, he is often compared with the great Don. One avid fanboy on this forum even said he is greater than Sobers as an all-rounder. Such is his fan following! His eye popping performances easily makes him an all-time great. With fame comes criticism and he has had a fair share of it from not being able to finish off the games, cracking under pressure, being record-chaser, etc. But to me, these things only show that he is a human being after all. What strikes me the most is despite playing for so many years, he has a child like curiosity for the game. To me that curiosity reflects his tremendous enthusiasm, passion and love for the game. Too much time is being spent trying to defend him but you don't need to defend players like Don, Sobers, Viv, Tendulkar, Lara, etc. They are a brand for a reason! Timeline of key achievements (from memory): 1989 Debut 1990 first test 100 in Eng 1994 first odi 100 in SL 1996 highest runs-getter in WC in Ind 1998 the desert storm innings, pawned Australia 2003 highest runs-getter in WC in SA 2004 Member of the squad that beat Pak in Pak 2009 Member of the number 1 ranked test side. 2010 hits first ODI double 100 2011 WC winner A legend and a once in a generation player for India :hail: PS added 2009 member of the #1 ranked test side

[Guest BossBhai]

-- Removed on request of the user --

[zen]

Forgot to mention him being the member of the #1 ranked test side, which is an honor for all cricketers .... Discussing with his fanboys, who are hell bent on criticizing ATGs from Don, Sobers, Viv to Lara to toot SRT's horn, I felt bad every time writing against Ten, also a huge legend. I felt I owed something to SRT If I get time, I ll add tributes to other legends .... Hopefully, legends will not continue to be run down on ICF. If they are, ICF is not an ideal cricket forum but another place where fanboys celebrate their heros without much respect for the game

[India-KXIP fan]

Forgot to mention him being the member of the #1 ranked test side, which is an honor for all cricketers .... Discussing with his fanboys, who are hell bent on criticizing ATGs from Don, Sobers, Viv to Lara to toot SRT's horn, I felt bad every time writing against Ten, also a huge legend. I felt I owed something to SRT If I get time, I ll add tributes to other legends .... Hopefully, legends will not continue to be run down on ICF. If they are, ICF is not an ideal cricket forum but another place where fanboys celebrate their heros without much respect for the game

:hysterical::hysterical::hysterical:

[Guest BossBhai]

-- Removed on request of the user --

[vamos_rafa]

This comes across as a breath of fresh air to me. I was tired of the potshots being taken at the legends here. Rett, you made my day :twothumpsup:

[kabira]

how long has doctor given you?? :--D

[Deleted_User_1]

Nah, it's too little too late. I am not buying it!!!!!!!!

[Needforspeed]

I dont think there is not a single Indian who is not a Tendulkar fan. The problem on this forum is there are a few fanatics, and fanatics bring out the worst reaction in everyone. Along with Tendulkar, we have also been lucky to see Dravid, Kumble, Laxman and Ganguly playing for India at the same time. While in Australia or England, great players are created by the system there, in our country these great guys are there inspite of our system.

[jf1gp_1]

no one ever talks about the 80+ he got in 40-50 odd balls against NZ as an opener in an ODI, that was the turning point in his career

[Prakat]

hear hear :clap:

[Mandrake]

Im a little tired of "fanboys" etc...just because you bash tendulkar doesnt make one an objective,impartial reader of the game,this is a theme across most posts on this topic,you bash a legend and then claim how you are impartial and the only one concerned with team indias future. Nothing to do with this post...just an observation.

[velu]

Someone hacked retts account :cantstop:

[Sachin=GOD]

Someone hacked retts account :cantstop:

:itsme: :--D

[Sarkar]

Sachin > Any player

[Crookbond]

no one ever talks about the 80+ he got in 40-50 odd balls against NZ as an opener in an ODI' date=' that was the turning point in his career[/quote'] Probably the first time he opened in ODIs

[ravishingravi]

I think this so called divide is pretty superficial. I think almost everyone including Rett or Outty or me or any of his recent critics would argue that he is the one of the greats, if not the greatest to come from India and arguably one of the all time greats. But the tu tu main main with some delusional theories by bhakts ( entertaining though ) really detracts from career that should be a celebration of the game. You don't have to pull down any great or magnify Sachin's achievement to mark his greatness.

[akshayxyz]

how long has doctor given you?? :--D

:hysterical::hysterical::hysterical::hysterical: @OP - decent attempt. :nice:

[akshayxyz]

no one ever talks about the 80+ he got in 40-50 odd balls against NZ as an opener in an ODI' date=' that was the turning point in his career[/quote'] this. That innings was like his war-cry for the rest of the ODI career (as opener) to be followed.

[akshayxyz]

Im a little tired of "fanboys" etc...just because you bash tendulkar doesnt make one an objective,impartial reader of the game,this is a theme across most posts on this topic,you bash a legend and then claim how you are impartial and the only one concerned with team indias future. Nothing to do with this post...just an observation.

+++++++ It is a mistake often made in every sport/aspect of life.