God has been kind, it just happened: Tendulkar

The Ravi Shastris have run out of “adjectives,” but the phenomenon of our times, Sachin Tendulkar, continues to epitomise modesty. So much so that his day-after reaction was no more than “God has been kind... It just happened...” Off the field, too, Sachin doesn’t cease to amaze. Speaking to The Telegraph in the VIP Room of the Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Terminal in Gwalior, on Thursday afternoon, Sachin said: “Of course, it feels very nice, but that moment is over now...” The moment in question being his becoming the first, in four decades of ODIs, to score a double hundred (against South Africa, at the Captain Roop Singh Stadium). As the three-match series is already in the bag, Sachin won’t be seen in action in the concluding ODI, on Saturday. Waiting to board Flight CD 8818, to New Delhi, en route to Mumbai, Sachin informed that he’d probably take a 10-day break. “Some charity commitments are pending... I haven’t had the time this season... I’ll try and fulfil whatever I can over the next few days... After that, I’ll begin preparing for the IPL, perhaps around March 5...” One such commitment is expected to involve a day’s ‘coaching’ to the winners of the online auction during The Joy Of Giving Week (September 27-October 3) last year. Proceeds will go to the Mumbai-based Apnalaya, an institution which is special for the Tendulkars. The living legend, incidentally, has been overwhelmed by the messages of congratulations sent directly and indirectly. By people known and unknown. “I haven’t seen them personally (as yet), but have been told that the President and Prime Minister have sent messages... The nation, I know, is happy,” Sachin remarked, as another batch of Mirage 2000s took off for a day-time ‘sortie.’ Flight CD 8818, operated on an ancient ATR 42-320, finally took off 100-odd minutes behind schedule and once the cruising altitude was achieved, Captain Norman Sanson, a New Zealander, gave a “special welcome” to “our cricketing heroes.” Also on the 55-minute flight were Virender Sehwag, Praveen Kumar and Abhishek Nayar, all of whom have fitness issues. Captain Sanson’s announcement was greeted with a spontaneous round of clapping. While Sachin obliged the autograph-seekers on board, even while engrossed in the music emanating from his massive headphones, Sehwag didn’t seem inclined to make somebody’s day. There may be similarities in their batting, but there’s not much in common otherwise. On landing in the national capital, Air India officials greeted Sachin with a bouquet of roses. The usual requests followed before a tarmac-transfer was effected to allow Sachin catch his Jet flight to Mumbai. Everybody has always wanted a piece of the 36-year-old, India’s pride with a capital P. After the 200 not out, that demand has become greater.