Sachin Completes 20 Years Of International Cricket

A salute to Sachin

“I play my natural game.” - These words often come from a man whose bat, statistics and name speak for itself. If natural is what Sachin Tendulkar chooses to describe his spectacular display of batting every time then what could be the apt adjective for his dedicated service to the nation? Only he or the Almighty knows.



As India’s cricketing idol completes 20 long momentous years in international cricket, I am filled with emotions and deluged by my unforgettable childhood memories. Words would fall short in my attempt to describe the importance of the great Sachin in not just my life but every Indian’s.



Every time he walks by the stands to represent India, eyes sparkle and hearts rejoice. Twenty years of the game not only belong to Sachin, but to over a billion of people who have witnessed this beautiful journey.



And today, each one of us only wishes and prays that this journey never ends.



Here’s a poetic salute to the man…



If God were an Indian and played cricket,

He would have called Sachin Tendulkar, I claim and bet



To praise him infinitely, dictionaries across the globe would rise

Words that describe him could fail to suffice



20 years of bombardment of runs is what you gave us

With much of an ease, without a fuss



Rankings, awards, laurels and recognitions

You just played; we know these were never your mission



Yours is not just a name, but India’s pride

Opposition is no alien to the ever-so prevalent might



McGrath, Warne, Akram or Younis

In front of you… Oh! Great Sachin, they’re a cola without fizz



In 90s, you even break the TRPs of a TV soap

Cross your 100 safely, every household would hope



Bravo! Sachin, you are a hero

You have changed the importance of zero



Because that’s the digit we have seen so often

Affixed in your mammoth stats, Ah! Do we need to mention?



A nation’s son, cricket’s pampered child

“Long live Sachin,” while saying it in chorus, we just can’t be mild



Sarah, Arjun and Anjali

Backbone of your life, your family



Not just they, we are proud and lucky too

Because Indian cricket is a film with you as cast and crew



'Thank you' is not enough for what you have been

With every passing moment, you looked ever so keen



Yes, it was your dream and eventually became ours as well

For every OUT, hopes of a billion people always fell



Every innings of Little Master looks like a recorded tape

Name an opponent who has not got in bad shape



Speechless I am, speechless I will be

Whenever I see you so earthy



May there be more Tendulkars in the making

Youngsters aim to acquire at least a touch of your batting bling



Hail the champion as he walks cricket’s red carpet

A heartfelt salute to Sachin while tears of glory out we let

Published In NDTV