I know my time is up. My mind is not with Sachin's game any longer. I no longer switch on the Television even when I know that Sachin is batting and while I still switch off the television when Sachin gets out; I have to admit it more habit than instinct. There was a time when Sachin's batting helped soothe the pain of India's defeat. Today I crave for India to win without Sachin.
I am ready to move on to a newer India. An India which learns to win without Sachin; even if it loses a few in the process.
Sachin's batting no longer connects with me. Truth be told, I may not have matured as much as his batting but his batting seems robotic. Operational. Transactional even. If his batting has become boring to me; some of his decisions have left me alienated. It has never happened before. Before recently, following Sachin was my second nature; now many things he does leave me with questions. This however, is not the time to talk about it.
I have been luckier than the average Sachin follower. I was caught up in the Sachin buzz, a few years ahead of most. Around 85-86. At the nets of Achrekar Sir's coaching nets. Shivaji Park. Aimless morning sessions at the nets would suddenly transform into an hour of intense cricket, as Sachin did the rounds batting in various nets, starting with the youngest to the oldest age groups. He never acknowledged the bowler. Never looked the bowler in the eye. It did not bother me; because that was the only time Achrekar Sir would pay any attention to anyone other than Sachin and Vinod. I was looking forward to a nod of acknowledgement from the coach rather than Sachin.
My best years as a Sachin follower were when I would just enjoy his career unfold. Early on it was pure joy. His Ranji debut, Test debut in Pakistan, Vengsarkar v Kapil in the Ranji Finals, his first 100 in England, his first tour of Australia. India lost regularly. But Sachin made me forget that minor statistic.
My proudest moments as a Sachin follower coincided with his worst slumps in form. The uninformed used to question his ability to finish games. I found no such shortcoming in Sachin. Sachin was never about statistics and following him was never about counting anything really. Not runs, not wins.The joy of following Sachin was to see how a boy who knew he would be the greatest ever went about becoming just that with as little fuss as possible. Sachin's story is a story of a man who knew his destiny and understood his responsibilities in getting there.
His has been an epic career. But his story does not move me any more. I believe I have achieved everything there is to achieve as a Sachin follower.
I have nothing more to give. Nothing left in me. 25 years is a long time.
11 comments:
Sir Ji atleast you should have confronted me before taking this decision!!
There is still a lot to learn from Sachin, just have to keep looking for it.
"his batting seems robotic. Operational. Transactional even". He has mastered the art of attritional batting and there is no more joy in his batting to me. Sehwag seemed to have brought that with him to the tests and for a while we didn't notice that Sachin wasn't doing it anymore. I think starting with his Sydney 241, something in Sachin went out. It hasn't returned since. His 200 no ODI innings was his best achievement as a machine batsman. I wish it was more like Richard's 181 or 189 though. The fun, the joy of a blitz is just mesmeric. While I'm not quite retired, I do yearn for the joy.
Single minded, dedicated and so talented. Sachin is probably second only to Bradman in terms of greatness. So hard to bowl to.
Sachin is nearing perfection in his batting and then if it seems boring then it is not his fault. He should retire only when he feels he cannot contribute to the team any longer.
Vaibahv, I agree its not his fault and I am not saying it is. I don't agree to your second point but its moot because, I myself have retired :-)
Jigar, as I said I thought about calling and confiding with you about this...but I am sure you would have thought I am nuts
Crowinsh....Sachin of old compared to today. No excitement for me. As for learning I can learn from him even in my retirement :-)
it is a shame that some comments are still revolving around srt even while the sole focus of the article is the sun setting on grod's career.
i say - what do they know of grod who only grod know?
When the only people who understand me are anonymous...perhaps the decision to retire is the right one
i have always wondered how 'golandaaz' is any less anonymous than 'anonymous' or say 'xyz'?
anywyas, don't mind what you call me so long as you call...
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