But as much as he is loved for his match-winning performances, his slump too has been under the scanner and to some extent this is rather unfair. His lean patch during the IPL has come under severe criticism, but don’t forget people still flock to the stadium to see the Little Master. No one draws the crowd like Tendulkar does.

Since his debut, he has been in news for a major part of his career, be it his match-winning performances or his struggles with the bat or injuries. For millions of Indians, cricket starts and ends with the name of Tendulkar.

He is not only compared with the great Sir Donald Bradman, but a few even rate him ahead of the Don. It is high time that the nation stood beside him and instead of being pushed all around, we stand united behind him and help him get over the rough patch. It evokes anxiety and frustration since he doesn't want to halt regardless of what is being said and advised.

In a recent press meet, while asked on his retirement plans, he seemed quite erratic and unorthodox. His statement “If I spend time reading newspapers, who will play cricket?” says it all.

Rather than creating hype around each and every statement of his, we should evaluate a boy who has grown-up not somewhere but totally engulfed in the world of cricket, where the job is just to pad-up and play. He has not only devoted an entire life to the game, but has been an ardent worshiper. For him, the retirement is not just from cricket but from a part of his life.

One could easily say 'the era has gone away' but it's even tougher for him to accept 'the time has come around'. If the age was not a deciding factor, Sachin could have played cricket for his entire life. On the contrary, if opinions are still given weightage then there is, still, no harm in making statements. Nevertheless, we should feel privileged as we have seen the God living somewhere between us.