Sachin

The prophecy of that faceless stranger in the crowd came to be true. Today Sachin Tendulkar is most popular cricketer of India. A boyish person led the Indian team in to the 21st century successfully. Tendulkar’s talent and perseverance didn’t come easy. His patience was tested by his will to win. But what matters most is Sachin’s positive frame of mind and insatiable hunger of cricketing glory.

In recent years of consequent defeats of India in the world cups, the mood in the nation became somber, and the fans of Indian team turned frustrated. Sachin issued an appeal not to lose courage. According to him what Indian team wanted is best wishes. Sachin has the guts to instill self-belief of turning the table in the last hour.

Ten years ago Sachin Tendulkar’s name did not ring a bell. Now it beats a fatalistic drum that has been the death knell of many a bowler. No cricket loving person forget that clouded day in Pakistan in 1989-90 series when Sachin was being continuously beaten by Abdul Qadir who had not heard of this young man’s batting qualities. Qadir challenged him to hit his ball for a four.

Sachin smiled and said you are one of the world’s greatest spinners. How can I hit you for a four? What transpired on the very next delivery is something Qadir would not like to forget for the rest of his life. Sachin smashed him for one of the most elegant and scintillating series of his. And in the next over when the fiery Akram came to bowl, treated him with scant respect. By the end of the day, both Qadir and Akram did not know what had hit them. And by the end of tour it was clear to all that Sachin Tendulkar was soon going to become any bowler’s nightmare.

!n 1992 on the eve of world cup cricketing extravaganza, the Indian selectors had to decide the captain for the tour. One to all knew the facts there was not just the world cup but the Benson and Hedges Championship and full-fledged Test series. India had little chance at these tournaments as it had...