Scenario 1

The 50 overs of first innings are over. India was bowling. I got up to get something to eat, so that I don’t have to get up when India starts batting. But suddenly, Papa turns off the TV, I resist. He says, “What’s there to watch, Sachin and Sourav are there. It’s a piece of cake”.

Next morning, I woke up rushed to get the newspaper and Yes, India Won. It was the time when Sachin and Sourav used to open for India.

Scenario 2

I left watching the full match those days.

Did you see the match? No, I replied.

What the hell. Sachin scored 200!, he said.

What, I yelled.

That was my friend who informed me over phone. He was the same guy who was among the ones who used to give statements like – Sachin should retire. Whenever he scores, India loses. He is old now.

Scenario 3

World-Cup Final Match.

Most awaited match for India and Sachin. Sri Lanka batted in the first inning, now bowling.

After few minutes of assumptions about what will he score? Will he be out there till end? Will we win?

Sachin is OUT! Audience is shocked. We are shocked.

But later that day, India wins. Yuvraj hugs Sachin as he burst into Tears. Team carried Sachin on shoulders to circle the ground and wave to audience.

They were the ones who said – If Cricket is religion, Sachin is God. They were the same who later said – He should retire. Even some on News Channels suggested Sachin to play few shots in the ‘Technically’ correct manner.

He never replied back. He said once, I prefer to talk via my Bat instead of words.

Sachin Tendulkar and his blazing 23 years of ODIs came to an end today when the BCCI released his official statement on retiring from ODIs and focusing on Tests.

He scored an ‘Everest’ of runs, scored the first 200 in ODI’s, 49 centuries, 96 half centuries, and most importantly – He rocked our world!

This day can’t be described as Sad, because nobody has died or somebody got hit by a car. But, only a fan who grew watching Sachin play his straight drive, or being taught at a Cricket Academy to get in ‘stance’ like sachin can explain this moment.

Cricket in India won’t be the same. ODIs won’t be interesting when you won’t see the name of Sachin Tendulkar in the team list, and start anticipating how much he will score.

He is a humble man who is retiring in a humble fashion.

We saw Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid and even Sourav Ganguly leave the game and we thought that maybe something is lost. But today I know – Yes, now we have lost.

He will always be missed a lot. I know it, you know it.

Do comment with the most fondest memory of yours of Sachin Tendulakar in the comment section below. Let’s see if we can relive those moments!