Tendulkar Rocks! Even After 20 Years in the Game!

Former Indian cricketer, Ravi Shastri has ‘been there, done that’, knows a lot of what there is to know about international cricket. But even someone like him, cannot keep back the praise for that batsman non peril, that wizard with a bat for a wand, Sachin Tendulkar.  What is it about the 5 foot 5 individual that inspires such admiration, such matchless affection? According to Shastri as reported in the cricket news, Tendulkar is the ‘boss’ and his presence is revitalising for the team even after having been in this game an unbelievable 20 years! 

Witness how the man stroked his way to a mammoth 163 on a day when he was suffering acute pain from a stomach injury which ultimately caused him to retire hurt. No matter that the pain and stiffness must have steadily increased, he scarpered between wickets with the energy of a twenty year old and his stroke play and range of shots were undiminished! According to Shastri that is incontrovertible proof against those who dare to suggest that Sachin may be a bit long in the tooth for one day cricket. 

Any injury that Sachin sustains always causes concern in a billion hearts but he has battled with many over the years, some fairly serious and some not so. This stomach muscle tear that he currently is nursing and which put him out of action for the 4th and 5th ODIs of course is a loss to the team but Sachin’s contribution to his team is more than just that of runs. Even his presence in the dressing room, his vast experience and knowledge comes to bear and is beneficial. 

And if Tendulkar’s presence in this team is great for him teammates, his formidable teammates create the kind of atmosphere for him where he finds it easier to perform: Sachin knows that even if he gets out cheaply, there is always a Sehwag, or a Yuvraj, or a Dhoni or a Raina or even a Gambhir who will carry the mantle for him. No longer is he weighed down by an unrealistic expectation and he has been freed to do to the ball what he was born to do. 

International cricket and cricket fans the world over watch in awe to see how long this little master is able to carry on, with his never say die attitude and we may just join them in saying, may Sachin continue to ROCK!