“There have been numerous stories claiming ‘he still has a lot to deliver, stop drawing his frame’, ‘you would never know the next until he is there’ and the most interesting one ‘just because he is Sachin Tendulkar, you could not ask ‘till when, sir?’ ” Writes Monika Arora

Indian batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar

There is no need of any introduction about whom this narrative has been written. But surely, you would ask WHY?

Before I start elaborating, would you mind answering the following questions:

Have you ever tried to do that thing for which every person advised you not to do? Have you ever wished to stop dreaming because none is satisfying you? Have you ever asked your boss, how long he could afford you? Or, have you ever challenged yourself for success even after enormous failures?

How was the feeling? What have you explored – the good or the bad? Aren’t the returns tempting enough? Isn’t the morale raised to a distinctive height? Don’t you smell richness of efforts and the tenure of cries? Don’t you cherish a smile now-a-days? Regularly. And the feeling of being one – the common yet worth- known entity.

You literally revert to: “Those efforts were worth trying, even I failed at first. The journey from then to this has become a featured inspiration. I’ve got my worth, you know!”

And that’s how stories are crafted. It is not an effort on a day to draft in – a paper, a pen, a character and some good ink. Certainly not. You must have missed the key ingredients: compassion, skill, creativity, agility and the backing force with a rise and an epic downfall.

And the similar one was started 23-years ago (in 1989-90 at Karachi, Pakistan) – when a 16-year old amateur drafted with the likes of Shastri, Azhar, Kapil Dev and many seniors to face off then’s spearhead Waqar Younis, Imran Khan and Wasim Akram. The challenge was not only to strike cunningly but also defacing the aggression. Like happens with a debutant, he too was deceived; assuring own “Welcome to Test cricket” by the bouncers of Akram whilst hoping for yorkers. But he strived even after getting hit by Waqar Younis (Dec 9-14, 1989; 4th Test, Day 5); of his nose – blood all over his shirt – he replied with a 57 off 193 balls.

First series, swashbuckling debut and what a competitor – Pakistan. Thus, the history had been written – “This boy is going to be a legend, one day.” As soon the time went butterflies, the world has witnessed a fairy tale turns into an aesthetic living glory. A 5’5” tall boy who has written even on 10x larger portrait – what it means to live with passion, to fight for it, to keep-on against all odds, to be committed with the goal and never say a NO.

Though, the journey was never easy. If there have been moments of oomph and standing ovation; tenderness of injuries and poor form demands his exit frequently. Be it Tennis elbow or the most awaited 100th century – he never seems to deflect but faltered with his approach. But did he stop? No. Rather he waited and tried until he achieved success. How would you measure such things – even in close to turning 40, next year, one could not pinpoint the full stop. Or, neither he himself.

Since like every story, an end is precisely written. All you got to do is verify the timing. And like no exception, he too would halt. And that day, you literally ask WHY? Instead of claiming examples of greats in order to force him down, dare to ask him in front. And I challenge you, you would fail.

One day, you could be gusty enough to ask Dravid or even Kallis “Let’s put it off” but certainly not for the master. It is not due to the legacy but the frame of his game which let your steps back.

At times, I wonder how ironic it is to be retarded by own peoples. Those who once were your back-strength, suddenly turns out as whole new world.

He would not be a God or even Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar – the Brand, without the immense support from who has associated this story: the elder brother Ajit Tendulkar, the coach Ramakant Achrekar, the inventor Sunil Gavaskar, and, of course, his companion Mrs Anjali Tendulkar.

There have been numerous stories claiming ‘he still has a lot to deliver, stop drawing his frame’, ‘you would never know the next until he is there’ and the most interesting one ‘just because he is Sachin Tendulkar, you could not ask ‘till when, sir?’

Trust me, when that day will come, you would not stop wondering, sobbing bitterly wishing ‘if’ it could last a bit further.
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This article first published on cricketsoccer.com !