I haven’t missed any opportunity to remind Sachin that I was his captain when he made his Test debut in Pakistan. The first thing that struck me on that tour was how assured and confident he was for a 16-year-old.
K Srikkanth He had come into the team on the back of centuries on debut in the Ranji Trophy, the Duleep Trophy and the Irani Cup, and obviously that had given him a lot of mental strength.
Before the series began, I took him aside and assured him that no matter what, he would play in all the four matches. Immediately, I could sense an increasing sense of confidence in him because he knew that he did not have to play for a place in the side.
What also stood out was the calmness within himself. Here he was, just 16 years old and playing against some of the fastest, most feared bowlers in the world -- Imran Khan, Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis — but he appeared neither flustered nor even a little scared.
I particularly remember the fourth Test in that series in Sialkot with great fondness. We had lost four quick wickets on the final day when Sachin was hit on his nose by Waqar. The physio came out, but Sachin waved him away, composed himself, hit the next ball for four and made a brilliant half-century. That showed the world that even as a kid, he was willing to fight, and he has been a great fighter ever since.
To have played for 20 years with the pressure of expectations of a billion people looking on is just awesome. His greatest asset, apart from his great skills, is his mental strength and his stability. He has just got on with the job, performed no matter what, as simple as that. His other great strength is his passion for and commitment towards cricket. Even today, he brings the same passion with him as he did all those years back.
He has always wanted to do well for India, for his team and his country, and along the way he has broken several records. I know for a fact that nothing has given him greater joy with the Indian team has done well, he is the ultimate team man.
Showing posts with label Deccan Herald. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Deccan Herald. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
An Incredible Journey By R Kaushik
Into his third decade on the international stage, Sachin Tendulkar still stands tall, writes R Kaushik
It’s hard to believe that it has been 20 years! Twenty years ago, global warming was as unheard of as global terrorism, Steffi Graf was still ruling the women’s tennis world, Australia hadn’t taken even tentative steps towards dominating the cricket world. Twenty years ago, Michael Jackson was the universal pop icon, the Berlin Wall had just crumbled as East and West fused, Roger Moore was still James Bond 007, licensed to kill.
Twenty years! A lifetime, and more!
Twenty years to the day, in Karachi on November 15, 1989, a teenaged genius, baby faced but tough as nails, shot on to the international cricketing stage, cuddly and adorable, with a broadsword for a bat and earmarked for greatness, even if his first Test match provided little evidence of what was to come. Twenty years on, in the era of Twenty20 cricket, Sachin Tendulkar continues to stand tall, wowing audiences worldwide even in the supposed autumn of his career with masterpieces that only he can construct.
For 20 years now, Tendulkar has entertained and exhilarated, thrilled and excited and, naturally enough, more than occasionally disappointed and dismayed. For 20 years, he has had a nation eating out of his hands, controlled the mood of a billion people, put a smile on hardened faces, instilled hope and joy and belief in moments of despair and distress. And he has done all that with humility and grace, respectful of the love and expectations of his people but always with his feet on the ground, his head firmly on his shoulders.
Not even Sachin Tendulkar, one suspects, knows how he has managed that. Yes, the strong middle-class values he was exposed to from a very early age, courtesy a grounded professor-father who set the example by deeds rather than words, helped. Yes, the presence of a stabilising influence in a doctor-wife played its part. Even so, how does one explain the remarkable balance, the extraordinary command of situations, the mastery of emotions?
Tendulkar is what Tendulkar is today not merely because he has scored almost 30,000 international runs, is closing in on a hundred international centuries or because he owns almost every batting record conceivable. He isn’t loved and revered and adored and looked up to only because he has passed the longevity test and lasted the rigours of the international game for two decades now. It’s as much for how he has done it, as for what he has done, that the 36-year-old is held in such high esteem – by his peers, by his contemporaries and his predecessors but most of all, by a nation that simply can’t have enough of him.
Nobody else in India – not Shah Rukh Khan, not even Prime Minister Manmohan Singh – has had so much riding on his shoulders for such a long period of time. The intense scrutiny, the enormous adulation, the overwhelming pressure of expectations, the complete absence of any privacy – all these and more could so easily have broken even strong-willed men. It’s in the subliminal ease with which Tendulkar has taken everything in his stride that he is in a class of one.
Perhaps, we are going overboard? Is Tendulkar greater than the men who guard our frontiers, who keep their focus and their concentration and discipline through bitterly cold nights so that we can sleep in peace? Is he more special, living as he is in the lap of luxury well earned through his command over his chosen craft, than the common man simply because he has a gift that very few have, but in only a sporting arena which seldom makes the difference between life and death?
Tendulkar will be the first, as he indeed did in the aftermath of 26/11, to say no, emphatically. It is, though, well worth remembering that the first time a collective smile broke out on a billion faces following the Mumbai terror attacks of last year was when Tendulkar scripted an incredible run-chase in the Chennai Test against England. And spontaneously dedicated it to the people of Mumbai as well as the men and women who fought tirelessly to keep the terrorists at bay.
His evolution from an exciting teenager to the bulwark of the Indian batting, from a shy, tongue-tied young man to the senior statesman, has directly reflected in his growth from an intrepid attacker of bowling attacks to a more mature and controlled batsman. Even today, he will occasionally roll the years back, bow to the boy still lurking inside him and tear the best apart; for the most part, he has however swapped the broadsword for a rapier, the bludgeon for a scalpel, making large-scale compromises necessitated by an injury-ravaged body and the inevitable passage of time.
Time. Not even for Sachin Tendulkar will time stand still, much as most of India would wish for it. Not too long into the future, he will hang up his boots and bat, even if he will never ever ride away into the sunset. There is time yet to savour his successes, to commiserate with his failures, to celebrate his commanding presence. Many happy returns, Sachin!
It’s hard to believe that it has been 20 years! Twenty years ago, global warming was as unheard of as global terrorism, Steffi Graf was still ruling the women’s tennis world, Australia hadn’t taken even tentative steps towards dominating the cricket world. Twenty years ago, Michael Jackson was the universal pop icon, the Berlin Wall had just crumbled as East and West fused, Roger Moore was still James Bond 007, licensed to kill.
Twenty years! A lifetime, and more!
Twenty years to the day, in Karachi on November 15, 1989, a teenaged genius, baby faced but tough as nails, shot on to the international cricketing stage, cuddly and adorable, with a broadsword for a bat and earmarked for greatness, even if his first Test match provided little evidence of what was to come. Twenty years on, in the era of Twenty20 cricket, Sachin Tendulkar continues to stand tall, wowing audiences worldwide even in the supposed autumn of his career with masterpieces that only he can construct.
For 20 years now, Tendulkar has entertained and exhilarated, thrilled and excited and, naturally enough, more than occasionally disappointed and dismayed. For 20 years, he has had a nation eating out of his hands, controlled the mood of a billion people, put a smile on hardened faces, instilled hope and joy and belief in moments of despair and distress. And he has done all that with humility and grace, respectful of the love and expectations of his people but always with his feet on the ground, his head firmly on his shoulders.
Not even Sachin Tendulkar, one suspects, knows how he has managed that. Yes, the strong middle-class values he was exposed to from a very early age, courtesy a grounded professor-father who set the example by deeds rather than words, helped. Yes, the presence of a stabilising influence in a doctor-wife played its part. Even so, how does one explain the remarkable balance, the extraordinary command of situations, the mastery of emotions?
Tendulkar is what Tendulkar is today not merely because he has scored almost 30,000 international runs, is closing in on a hundred international centuries or because he owns almost every batting record conceivable. He isn’t loved and revered and adored and looked up to only because he has passed the longevity test and lasted the rigours of the international game for two decades now. It’s as much for how he has done it, as for what he has done, that the 36-year-old is held in such high esteem – by his peers, by his contemporaries and his predecessors but most of all, by a nation that simply can’t have enough of him.
Nobody else in India – not Shah Rukh Khan, not even Prime Minister Manmohan Singh – has had so much riding on his shoulders for such a long period of time. The intense scrutiny, the enormous adulation, the overwhelming pressure of expectations, the complete absence of any privacy – all these and more could so easily have broken even strong-willed men. It’s in the subliminal ease with which Tendulkar has taken everything in his stride that he is in a class of one.
Perhaps, we are going overboard? Is Tendulkar greater than the men who guard our frontiers, who keep their focus and their concentration and discipline through bitterly cold nights so that we can sleep in peace? Is he more special, living as he is in the lap of luxury well earned through his command over his chosen craft, than the common man simply because he has a gift that very few have, but in only a sporting arena which seldom makes the difference between life and death?
Tendulkar will be the first, as he indeed did in the aftermath of 26/11, to say no, emphatically. It is, though, well worth remembering that the first time a collective smile broke out on a billion faces following the Mumbai terror attacks of last year was when Tendulkar scripted an incredible run-chase in the Chennai Test against England. And spontaneously dedicated it to the people of Mumbai as well as the men and women who fought tirelessly to keep the terrorists at bay.
His evolution from an exciting teenager to the bulwark of the Indian batting, from a shy, tongue-tied young man to the senior statesman, has directly reflected in his growth from an intrepid attacker of bowling attacks to a more mature and controlled batsman. Even today, he will occasionally roll the years back, bow to the boy still lurking inside him and tear the best apart; for the most part, he has however swapped the broadsword for a rapier, the bludgeon for a scalpel, making large-scale compromises necessitated by an injury-ravaged body and the inevitable passage of time.
Time. Not even for Sachin Tendulkar will time stand still, much as most of India would wish for it. Not too long into the future, he will hang up his boots and bat, even if he will never ever ride away into the sunset. There is time yet to savour his successes, to commiserate with his failures, to celebrate his commanding presence. Many happy returns, Sachin!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Twenty years, twenty best knocks of Sachin Tendulkar
As Sachin Tendulkar completes twenty years in international cricket, Deccan Herald takes a look at his twenty best knocks:
* 1. 114 vs Australia in Perth Test (1991-92): Acknowledged by the master himself as one of his very best Test efforts when, as an 18-year-old, he tackled Australia’s best on a fiery strip with confidence and composure.
* 2. 169 vs South Africa in Cape Town Test (1996-97): Routed for 100 and 66 in the previous Test in Durban, India needed a special from Tendulkar to save batting face, and the skipper responded with a telling assault on Donald, Klusener, McMillan and company.
* 3. 136 vs Pakistan in Chennai Test (1998-99): A true epic scored as he battled a cripping back injury and an inspired Saqlain Mushtaq. Almost took India to victory, but when he fell with glory beckoning, the bottom fell out. And Tendulkar cried, inconsolably.
* 4. 143 & 134 vs Australia in Sharjah (1997-98): Two knocks separated by a day, but completely interlinked. The first turbo-charged India to the final, the second destroyed Australia in the final.
* 5. 175 vs Australia in Hyderabad (2009): India were chasing 351 for victory, and looked out for the count when Dhoni was dismissed. Again single-handedly, after 20 years in the business, Tendulkar kept India afloat. Again, he couldn’t quite finish off things as India fell three short. Heart-breaking.
* 6. 98 vs Pakistan in Centurion (2003 World Cup): Pakistan had amassed a huge total, the pressure was on India and Tendulkar responded with a breathtaking assault on Akram, Waqar and Akhtar. No century, but the 98 was worth many, many more.
* 7. 119* vs England in Manchester Test (1990): His first Test century, made with India fighting to save the Test on the final day. Composed and poised, it was the 16-year-old’s first brush with superstardom as India came away with an honourable draw.
* 8. 103* vs England in Chennai Test (2008-09): The perfect answer to critics that said he hadn’t won enough Tests for India. A beautifully crafted century on a fifth-day track as India mounted their highest successful chase on home soil. The ton was, poignantly, dedicated to Mumbai.
* 9. 116 vs Australia in Melbourne Test (1999-2000): Saddled with a young and inexperienced line-up, Tendulkar once again stood out for his command and mastery, though it was another hundred in a losing cause.
* 10. 57 vs Pakistan in Sialkot Test (1989-90): Struck on the face by a Waqar delivery, Tendulkar waved away the physio, hit the next ball for four and went on to make 57. A match-saving innings in Sidhu’s company, a display of mind over matter.
* 11. 111 vs South Africa in Wanderers (1992): High on confidence and batting with the intrepidness of youth, Tendulkar drove SA ragged and forced the great Allan Donald to bowl with a sweeper cover in a Test match!
* 12. 140* vs Kenya in Bristol (1999 WC): Neither a great attack nor a particularly demanding test, but the situation made it special. He had airdashed to India for his father’s funeral, and returned to conjure a touching masterpiece.
* 13. 186* vs New Zealand in Hyderabad (1999-2000): The highest one-day score by an Indian to date, a day when he could do nothing wrong. A lesson in attacking batsmanship.
* 14. 49 vs Australia in Bangalore Test (2008-09): One ordinary tour of Sri Lanka, and the knives were being sharpened. With a determined innings on day 5, Sachin steered India to safety, and silenced the critics.
* 15. 241* vs Australia in Sydney (2003-04): Remarkable for the strokes he did not play. For the first 100-plus runs, the off-side didn’t exist because off-drives had proved his undoing in the first three Tests. A tribute to his mental strength.
* 16. 165 vs England in Chennai Test (1992-93): His first international hundred on Indian soil, more than three years after his debut. Brilliant strokeplay, and the innings triggered a continuing love affair with Chepauk.
*17. 155* vs Australia in Chennai Test (1997-98): Outfoxed by Shane Warne for four in the first innings, Tendulkar came out a man on a mission in the second, overturned a potentially decisive 70-run deficit and set up a stirring victory.
* 18. 44 vs West Indies in Port of Spain (1996-97): A low-scoring one-dayer on a spiteful surface, with Ambrose, Walsh, Rose and Bishop breathing fire. A counter-attacking knock that made batting look simple, though the Caribbeans’ greater depth carried them home.
* 19. 118* vs Zimbabwe in Sharjah (1998-99): Embarrassed by a lifter from Henry Olonga in the final league match that saw him caught at gully fending awkwardly, Tendulkar went out to bat in the final saying ‘either him or me’. No prizes for guessing who had the last laugh!
* 20. 117* vs Australia in Sydney (tri-series final, 2007-08): Once again debunking the theory that he doesn’t score in Cup finals, Tendulkar scripted an intelligent run chase as India completed their first tri-series triumph in Australia.
Source: Deccan Herald
* 1. 114 vs Australia in Perth Test (1991-92): Acknowledged by the master himself as one of his very best Test efforts when, as an 18-year-old, he tackled Australia’s best on a fiery strip with confidence and composure.
* 2. 169 vs South Africa in Cape Town Test (1996-97): Routed for 100 and 66 in the previous Test in Durban, India needed a special from Tendulkar to save batting face, and the skipper responded with a telling assault on Donald, Klusener, McMillan and company.
* 3. 136 vs Pakistan in Chennai Test (1998-99): A true epic scored as he battled a cripping back injury and an inspired Saqlain Mushtaq. Almost took India to victory, but when he fell with glory beckoning, the bottom fell out. And Tendulkar cried, inconsolably.
* 4. 143 & 134 vs Australia in Sharjah (1997-98): Two knocks separated by a day, but completely interlinked. The first turbo-charged India to the final, the second destroyed Australia in the final.
* 5. 175 vs Australia in Hyderabad (2009): India were chasing 351 for victory, and looked out for the count when Dhoni was dismissed. Again single-handedly, after 20 years in the business, Tendulkar kept India afloat. Again, he couldn’t quite finish off things as India fell three short. Heart-breaking.
* 6. 98 vs Pakistan in Centurion (2003 World Cup): Pakistan had amassed a huge total, the pressure was on India and Tendulkar responded with a breathtaking assault on Akram, Waqar and Akhtar. No century, but the 98 was worth many, many more.
* 7. 119* vs England in Manchester Test (1990): His first Test century, made with India fighting to save the Test on the final day. Composed and poised, it was the 16-year-old’s first brush with superstardom as India came away with an honourable draw.
* 8. 103* vs England in Chennai Test (2008-09): The perfect answer to critics that said he hadn’t won enough Tests for India. A beautifully crafted century on a fifth-day track as India mounted their highest successful chase on home soil. The ton was, poignantly, dedicated to Mumbai.
* 9. 116 vs Australia in Melbourne Test (1999-2000): Saddled with a young and inexperienced line-up, Tendulkar once again stood out for his command and mastery, though it was another hundred in a losing cause.
* 10. 57 vs Pakistan in Sialkot Test (1989-90): Struck on the face by a Waqar delivery, Tendulkar waved away the physio, hit the next ball for four and went on to make 57. A match-saving innings in Sidhu’s company, a display of mind over matter.
* 11. 111 vs South Africa in Wanderers (1992): High on confidence and batting with the intrepidness of youth, Tendulkar drove SA ragged and forced the great Allan Donald to bowl with a sweeper cover in a Test match!
* 12. 140* vs Kenya in Bristol (1999 WC): Neither a great attack nor a particularly demanding test, but the situation made it special. He had airdashed to India for his father’s funeral, and returned to conjure a touching masterpiece.
* 13. 186* vs New Zealand in Hyderabad (1999-2000): The highest one-day score by an Indian to date, a day when he could do nothing wrong. A lesson in attacking batsmanship.
* 14. 49 vs Australia in Bangalore Test (2008-09): One ordinary tour of Sri Lanka, and the knives were being sharpened. With a determined innings on day 5, Sachin steered India to safety, and silenced the critics.
* 15. 241* vs Australia in Sydney (2003-04): Remarkable for the strokes he did not play. For the first 100-plus runs, the off-side didn’t exist because off-drives had proved his undoing in the first three Tests. A tribute to his mental strength.
* 16. 165 vs England in Chennai Test (1992-93): His first international hundred on Indian soil, more than three years after his debut. Brilliant strokeplay, and the innings triggered a continuing love affair with Chepauk.
*17. 155* vs Australia in Chennai Test (1997-98): Outfoxed by Shane Warne for four in the first innings, Tendulkar came out a man on a mission in the second, overturned a potentially decisive 70-run deficit and set up a stirring victory.
* 18. 44 vs West Indies in Port of Spain (1996-97): A low-scoring one-dayer on a spiteful surface, with Ambrose, Walsh, Rose and Bishop breathing fire. A counter-attacking knock that made batting look simple, though the Caribbeans’ greater depth carried them home.
* 19. 118* vs Zimbabwe in Sharjah (1998-99): Embarrassed by a lifter from Henry Olonga in the final league match that saw him caught at gully fending awkwardly, Tendulkar went out to bat in the final saying ‘either him or me’. No prizes for guessing who had the last laugh!
* 20. 117* vs Australia in Sydney (tri-series final, 2007-08): Once again debunking the theory that he doesn’t score in Cup finals, Tendulkar scripted an intelligent run chase as India completed their first tri-series triumph in Australia.
Source: Deccan Herald
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