Tendulkar the legend

It's probably been the shortest two decades in Indian cricket because now we know that no matter what, the biggest cricketer ever in the history of the game (yes I won't mince words this time in saying that he is the best cricketer of all times) would call it a day say four or five years from now.

I hoped I could turn back time, but then some things are inevitable and can't be changed. What can and should be is our behaviour towards the acceptance of his greatness.

The criticism that has been directed towards him since the very beginning of his career has been that he has not been a man of finals; he has not played well in the second innings of Test matches and has not been a match winner for the team.

And during all this the man has been compared with two great West Indian batsmen, Sir Viv Richards and Brian Lara. Comparisons with either are absurd.

Coming back to India's 50% of wins with all the limitations and Sachin's contribution, the bigger thing would be that he can perform even after feeling the burden of 125 crore people on his shoulders. Doesn't this sound outstanding and shouldn't this be considered consistency of the highest level?

Consistency especially at a time when you know that if you had one bad knock some fans would start questioning your place in the side?

I will not talk much about the century Sachin scored against Sri Lanka this week that won India a game and a tournament. Yes, he looked solid and totally in control but then if someone remembers the other two knocks he played in the Emerald Isle, those were equally good looking.

Yes, the West Indian team for which Richards played did win many tournaments, but then he was not the only match winner in that side. The team was studded with four fast bowlers who were a nightmare for opposing batsmen.

Cricket is the love of his life. Today Tendulkar does not need to play for money. It's only the great childlike enthusiasm in him which is making him play like this.

And the batting of the great West Indian side of that era was studded with names like Desmond Haynes and Clive Lloyd, to name but two.

We can say the same with regard to Sachin Tendulkar's ability to bat. His articulate style often leaves cricket fans amused if not bewildered. But the best part is, he still has critics and in my country, where even God is not spared, there's no point caring about them.