More than just a run machine….

Last week the media was busy collecting the details of a rather long career of India’s iconic cricketer, Sachin Tendulkar. November 15th 2009 marked the completion of 20 glorious years of Sachin Tendulkar in international cricket. People across the world have been talking of one milestone after another, all through this long journey. Records have been broken every now and then, and the shrewd cricketer is nearing another milestone of 30000 runs at the international arena.

However, there is much more to this guy than the extraordinary pile of runs that he has accumulated. Apart from his “off the field qualities”, it is the finer aspects of the game in general and his batting in particular that has been the focus of discussion all these years. One need not be an expert to identify that each and every stroke from this genius (perhaps I can exclude the paddle sweep) is straight out of the text book. Speaking a bit technically, the straight face of the bat, the still head, the upright elbow and the flawless footwork is more than a delight to watch. How many times have we wondered and appreciated the timing, placement and execution of the shots, as though he has memorized the fielding positions for the entire duration of his innings. “Effortless” is the word commentators often use to describe his stroke play. Most of us watch him, not just for the runs, but to see a straight bat dispatching the ball somewhere down mid-off or through the covers. It has come to be known as his trademark shot which we will all cherish for years to come.

There are few batsmen in the cricketing world who have been able to combine traditional textbook cricket with the modern day aggression. This is what sets him apart and keeps viewers glued to their television sets.

Critics have, time and again, insisted on his departure (some called him a “spent force”) and he had consistently proved them wrong. However, the question is what happens after his exit. The satisfaction and delight of watching him bat will suddenly vanish. For us, Indians, the game of cricket may never be the same again. People who appreciate quality would never want to see him go. Given a choice with Aladdin’s lamp, I would ask for at least twenty more years, just to hear the sweet sound of leather on the master blaster’s willow.

Pankaj Kulkarni