A final speech that touched every true cricket fan's hearts, a fitting send off where it had all started, with the whole nation and many others around the world listening with rapt attention, with moist eyes! This was the end of a 24 year long International career of one the greatest ever sportsman that walked (is still walking :p) this earth!

It all began when a short, curly haired 16 year old kid courageously stood up against the Pakistani quicks in his debut series. From there on there was no looking back for Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar.

Too many memories this great man has given to the world, which included some, or actually many, of the world's most scintillating knocks. That innings in Perth, then the world's fastest, bounciest pitch, against a hostile Australian attack, during India's tour of Australia in 1991-1992, would always remain in everyone's hearts, be it those who were lucky enough to watch it live, or people like me who just got to watch video footages of that knock.I happened to read somewhere that Merv Hughes commented to Allan Border that time that "This little prick's going to get more runs than you, AB."

And then the twin centuries in Sharjah, in April 1998, belting Shane Warne all over the park, resulting in him commenting that he had nightmares of Sachin walking down the pitch and belting hin right over his head.

What about that innings following his father's untimely demise midway through the 1999 World Cup, when he let out everything on an unsuspecting Kenyan team, thundering his way to 140 of just 101 deliveries.

His opening stands with Ganguly, and then Sehwag, The 186 against New Zealand at Hyderabad, teaming up with Rahul Dravid to bring about the record for highest partnership in ODIs.
The 98 against Pakistan in the 2003 World Cup, with special attention being given to Shoaib Akthar, the upper cut, the hook shot that went flying out of the stadium, against England!

Another innings that comes into my head is that stupendous 146 against South Africa at Cape Town against some high quality swing bowling from an attack led by Dale Steyn, during the 2010-2011 tour.

And then that double hundred in the ODI agianst South Africa!! By this time everyone had starting talking about how old he's become and all that! But that determination and stamina to stay out there for fifty overs in an ODI, taking all those quick singles, running down the track to whack the ball over the stands, at the age of 37! Well, that's Sachin.

Sachin, for long, has been criticized for not being able to win matches. Things like "If he scores a century, India will lose", have always been said. There are some examples that might make this statement true, like his battling 136 against Pakistan in the historic Chennai Test, the 175 against Australia in the Hyderabad one dayer in 2009, or even his 100th century against Bangladesh in 2012 Asia Cup!!
But here are some statistics to show that Sachin was truly a match winner-
Out of 49 times that he has touched the three figure mark in ODIs, India has lost nly 14 times. The remaining 33 times India won!! And he averaged 56.63 in 234 wins he was part of.
And when we look into Test Cricket, Sachin has an average of 61.81 in Tests won, better than the modern greats he was usually pitted against, Brian Lara(61.02) and Ricky Ponting(59.46).
And then people always complain that he falters in big matches. Well, here are more statistics to prove this statement wrong-
Consider ODIs. Sachin has the most number of runs in tournament finals-1833. He has scored six centuries in the title clashes of multi nation events, and in all those occasions, India won!!
So, the next time anyone hears someone telling "Sachin lacked big-match temperament. Whenever he scored a century, India lost", do not hesitate, PUNCH that person on the face!

And Sachin's retirement ends that famed Indian Test middle order, the Fab Four. Rahul Dravid at number 3, Sachin Tendulkar at number 4, Sourav Ganguly at number 5, VVS Laxman at number 6!! A distant memory now.
He has now walked into the sunset of his career. His glorious straight drives, the look up at the sky everytime he scored a century, the childish smile on his face whenever he dismissed a batsman or India won a game, the whole stadium cheering for him whenever he walked out to bat, his sheer presence on the pitch, will be missed by everyone who has had the chance to watch this great man play!!
So long Sachin, Good bye!!


  
-SN