I have little, if anything of note to add to the thousands of words that have already been written about Sachin Tendulkar’s final day as an international cricketer and indeed his magnificent, record-breaking, nation-inspiring career.
We all knew the end would come one day, but I think many will have still been surprised by the outpouring of emotion from cricket fans around the world. I’ve just started reading Ricky Ponting’s autobiography and many would do well to take a leaf out of his wife’s book who was quick to remind people that while he had stopped playing, nobody had died.
Perspective, keeping it, and all that.
I started writing a book on Tendulkar. I got as far as a couple of chapters about the remarkable start he made to his domestic career and his season with Yorkshire. I think I started it because I figured he’d retire before long. But then, the bugger wouldn’t give up. Kept on playing. The book lost its momentum, the words dried up. Much like his Test runs in the last two years.
I saw somebody say today that they were pleased he hadn’t retired after the 2011 World Cup as it would have overshadowed India’s win. Bullshit. If anything, it would have made it an even more special victory.
Don’t get me wrong, he is among the greatest players of all time, a role model and a shining example to millions and to have scored the runs he has under the enormous weight of expectation he carries each time he is asked to perform is phenomenal. I do think he could have called it a day before now and this final farewell series has not done him, or cricket any favours.
But at the same time, I can understand if he thought that he had better stick around and help the new generation of batsmen in some way, mentoring and supporting them from the other end of the pitch over the last 18 months or so.
Anyway, thankfully the farce of a series is over, but not before two West Indians have been reported for suspected illegal bowling actions. Forcing the tour to be crammed into one month means that the West Indies’ first tour game in New Zealand in a couple of weeks will see the West Indies line up with two New Zealanders in the side as the rest of the squad will be playing ODIs in India.
The other sport I am passionate about and write on is rugby. International weekends are special because they only come around 10-15 times a year. India will barely stop playing international cricket in the next 12 months as they host the West Indies, head to South Africa, then to New Zealand, then play in the IPL, then go to the ICC World Twenty20, then fly to England.
Pakistan and South Africa will embark on their third bilateral series of the year next week. Too much? Maybe, just maybe, although scheduling issues still affect rugby and other sports, so it is perhaps an unfair comparison.
With the rain making the Sri Lanka v New Zealand series a farce as well, at least we have The Ashes around the corner.
Proper cricket, that.