Respect.

It took a powerful catharsis of emotions to get out of the self-imposed writing exile and get myself back to do what I’m best at- writing. In this instance, it’s the much awaited Century of Centuries by the God of cricket- Sachin Tendulkar.

It’s been a while since I’ve stopped following the fortunes of the men in blue. Ever since the debacle that was India’s tour of England in the summer of 2011, I haven’t quiet been the cricket fanatic I was. The disbelief at the appalling condition the team had landed itself into- shuttling from one low to another, was, is, and will ever be, hard to digest. 

Even then, when India landed down under three months ago, there was hope still.  That maybe this will be where the team will script a stunning turnaround.  And in fact, for the first two days, I entertained the thoughts that perhaps this would be the time Aussies will finally lose a Boxing Day test.  But then, the writing was on the wall as soon as Indian batting went in an all-too-familiar slumber.

Why I’m I writing all this? Because some way or the other, going over all this again and again I realised that maybe this is why Sachin didn’t celebrate the remarkable, mind-boggling achievement like a mad-man.  Why he simply raised his bat and looked towards the heaven, in the old Sachin fashion.  Maybe it was relief, relief at getting the elusive centuries, relief at finally getting the monkey off his back. But more than anything else, relief at the fact that he had silenced all those who had started questioning his place in the side.  For the better part of last three months, he had been under attack from all corners of the cricket-crazy Indian nation.  From legends like Kapil Dev to the road-side stall owner, all had proclaimed he should have called it a day, especially in the limited over format, after the world cup. After all, he had every record a batsman could hope to have against his name- more centuries, more runs, more matches, than anyone else and of course, the World Cup.  

It was suggested it was selfish of him to continue playing, not giving the youngsters a chance to prove their mettle.  I think this is what hurt the great batsman the most.  Questioning of his integrity, and commitment to the game he has overshadowed in a stellar carrier.

And now that he has reached the milestone where I doubt someone will ever stand again, these very people will suddenly sing a completely new tune. A nation of ‘thali ke bangan’.

I personally didn’t think Sachin would get the special ton, but more because of the constant comparison with Sir Don Bradman then because he was getting old, his footwork wasn’t as good as it was and his reflexes were delayed.  I thought perfect it was fitting for Sachin to walk into the sunset with a 99 against his name, much like the illustrious Don Bradman. As I said- some records are better left incomplete.

Perhaps that’s the reason the celebrations were sedated. Perhaps that’s why he’s such a giant of the game, and perhaps that’s why Sachin will always overshadow the game that turned him from a simple human to a legend, and recast him as our God.

We are a very privileged generation indeed to have the honour of being a witness to the class of Sachin Tendulkar.

                                  I was alive when Sachin scored century of centuries.