Tribute to Sachin – 2 Decades and Counting - By Goutham Aka "DCL Sachin"

I believe it's an understatement that every one of us grew up watching and idolizing Sachin Tendulkar. Heck with us even our cricketers from various generations - Dravid & Sourav thru the times of Sehwag, Yuvraj and now to the modern day generation of the Rainas and Kohlis have all idolized Sachin. Its not astonishing that Virender Sehwag says he would not have took to cricket if not for his pure idolization of Sachin Tendulkar. I believe a millions of other players all across the globe with far lesser skills than Sehwag have all took to the game wanting to play like Sachin. That said none of us can ever bat like the Genius that he is, but what we can learn from him are the qualities – Humbleness and Modesty that can help us all be great in our own perspectives.

I believe it's not an exaggeration to say that after our independence movement that united the whole country together and made us march in unison, it's Sachin Tendulkar that had a similar effect on the Nation as we have heard a million people say a zillion times that Sachin Tendulkar is a GOD. But Sachins diviness lies in the fact that if not millions there exist at least a few hundreds who don’t believe in God and yet worship Sachin with same kind of fervor. That to me defines Sachin Tendulkar

Such is the greatness of this humble son of India that the great Don felt he batted just like him, Richards (the Blaster) and Gavaskar (the Master) felt hez the perfect conglomeration of both their talents that are poles apart.

In all of sports only a select few Individuals have been labeled as a GOAT while they still have a long way to go before they disappear in the sunset. Sachin Tendulkar definitely brightens that group because it's rare to see someone gain unequivocal support both from the legends of the past and their contemporaries in equal measures. That to me is the hall mark of a player who stands alone, yet not alone at the top of the pedestal

Tendulkars aura lies in the fact most of the times he makes a mockery out of our intelligence. A guy with the highest education credentials and a cave man both are forced to believe in superstitions when ever Sachin bats. Rem those times vn v held on to our seats, stood on one leg for hours coz he hit a boundary and so on to more recently when he changed his bat from MRF to Adidas. We failed to realize that the answer is not in the fact that we stand on one leg or the MRF bat but in the Man itself. I don’t rem being forced to act so blindly ignorant for any other cricketer, do you guyz?

To me Tendulkars greatness is a combination of talent at its zenith and feet at their nadir. This has been proved to be such a deadly combination that any milestone achieved by "His Highness" reverberates across caste, race color and nationality. Tendulkars achievements provide every common man a moment of bliss. I agree that a few other cricketers might have given us similar vibe, but I seriously doubt if any one can provide the same effect when u think of it going back in time again.

Don may be the greatest thing ever to have happened to Test cricket. Sehwag and Richards may be the most destructive; Lara and Ponting may be the most Talented but Sachin Tendulkar I personally believe is the greatest thing ever to have happened to the Game of Cricket. After being the first person on the planet to register a double ton in ODI's, Tendulkar dedicated his master class to all the Indians who have supported him during his ups and downs. I personally think Tendulkar never had any downs in his career coz I sincerely believe he almost gave his 100% every time he walked out to play for India. Very few people, if not any can vouch for the same.

Being in a country where we have seen our politicians create a problem, wait for the public reaction and then offer a solution, Sachin Tendulkar was the only hope who offered instant solutions with his mesmerizing batting & served the Indian people with utmost dedication and affection. He became a household name because we believed he was the magician who could create magic every time he walked onto the field and so did he for the vast majority of his career and just for this reason I believe while Sachins unbelievable stats are incidental, Sachin Tendulkar is Transcendental.

Just like all good things in life and life in general will end at some point of time, so will Sachins career. But Let us hope and pray that he continues to hold his passion for the game and play as long as possible because once he calls it a day it will not only end an era in Indian cricket but also for the nation itself.

Goutham Nedunuri-
A Cricket Fanatic who just like millions considers himself the greatest fan of the greatest cricketer to ever hold a bat.

PS: Chandra please come up with some place and date so that we can do another cake for Sachins ODI Double TON like the one in the pic I did for Sachins 2 decade.