Sachin’s tearful last over
CRICKET fans across the globe revered him.
Teammates in India’s Test and World Cup- winning squads were in awe of him.
Sachin Tendulkar compiled more runs and posted more centuries in international cricket than anyone, and was the greatest batsman of his generation.
He has been compared with the previous incomparable Sir Donald Bradman, who averaged almost 100 per innings in a long career punctuated by World War II.
Tendulkar’s near celestial status meant his dismissal for 74 in his last innings — at the age of 40 and in his 200th Test match — silenced a packed and boisterous crowd at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium yesterday. But only for a few seconds. Really, they just wanted to see more. He walked off, with raised bat, to thunderous applause and chants of ‘‘Sachin, Sa-chin’’ . However, it was all over. He did not get a second chance to claim a 101st international century, as the onesided Test against the West Indies wrapped up yesterday with the hosts winning by an innings and 126 runs.
Tendulkar’s last day of Test cricket did feature a cameo appearance as a bowler, with the icon sending down two overs prior to receiving a guard of honour from teammates as he walked from the field for the last time with tears in his eyes.
The insatiable appetite for runs was only part of Sachin Tendulkar’s aura.
He will be remembered around the cricket world for the numerous batting records he set during a glittering 24-year international career, but he has also set a high benchmark of work ethics for others to follow.
‘‘He has guided youngsters very well, showed them how to lead life after you become successful, and at the same time how you’re supposed to prepare,’’ India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said.
‘‘He’s been fantastic and we’ve learnt a lot from him.’’
He scored 15,921 runs in 200 Tests and 18,426 in 463 onedayers. His 51 centuries in Tests and 49 in ODIs are also records and winning the 2011 World Cup was the proverbial icing on the cake.