Very well written Arnab.
I remember the times when we would sit at the TV at the hostel mess, and cheer Sachin at the top of our voice. he was the first player who made us feel that nothing was impossible with the bat.
I remember the the Qadir over.The electricity in my area had been cut and my brother and I were glued to the Sanyo 2-in-1 stereo. I was in despair as yet another defeat against arch rivals was looming. My brother said- Wait – I have heard the 16-year old is a great hitter (Till today I am not sure if he was bluffing or if Sachin had really hit similarly in domestic cricket). Before I could say anything like – I am not sure etc – The sound from the radio blared – all i could hear was “aur ye inhone” …and then nothing could be heard. Before the cacophony of the Hindi comentator + Pakistani crowd would die down, it would restart as another six was hit.
Decent article but expected more. I guess its because u set such a high bar with your other posts on cricket! Felt like u sold out in trying to make it appeal to non circket following NY Times readers.
“Sachin has retired from the one-day game, a format he revolutionized”.
How ? I think in Sachin’s generation it was Sanath jaysurya and a lesser extent Mark greatbatchrevolutionized oneday. May be i am illitrate. Pls enlighten me how Sachin revolutionized oneday ?
Its always difficult to write something on Sachin Tendulkar. There are many people who’d be more devoted fans, and would be knowing more about him. But a nicely written piece nevertheless.
But I agree with Dj on the part of revolutionizing the game. Since the debut of Tendulkar, one-day cricket has seen two huge changes, none of which were brought about by him. The universal focus to fielding can be attributed to a person called Jonty Rhodes, and the practice of hitting out in the first 15 overs was institutionalized by Sanath Jayasuriya (There might have been a few aberrations like Srikkanth and Greatbatch, but 100 in 15 overs became a norm only after the 1996 World Cup). Curtly Ambrose started preaching and practicing economic bowling, but none of the other fast bowlers could catch up, and we still end up giving away 250+ regularly.
For me, the biggest contribution of Sachin Tendulkar was the optimism he could generate in the hearts of a hundred million people. Whatever the situation might have been, we never lost hope if Tendulkar was there.
I never shared this with anyone, but I always had cricketing fantasies of my own. I thought I was too obsessed, but it turns out that I was not alone 🙂
I read the comments on the NyTimes blog and everyone just seems to miss the point. Well, I didn’t because it echoes my sentiments perfectly! Being in early 30s myself, I can relate to what you say. I won’t be exaggerating if I say that other than my family / friends Sachin was the most important person in my life while I was growing up, the second being Shahrukh Khan. And yes, for the lack of a better word it was ‘love’. When Sachin and Sehwag got out cheaply on a poor shot, I was angry on Sehwag but heartbroken for Sachin. I think that was love. And same for Shahrukh, when I used to watch lot of his movies then it was about him not the movie. Case in point is that I really appreciate some movies that Aamir has done off late. But the focus is not him, it’s a good cinema.
you are the greatest writer Arnab, mind you am not the best critic. But I just love your ramblings, especially on Cricket and Bollywood you reach an all together higher pedestal..The first 3-4 paragraphs were out of this world..but the first comment to your post in NY times to me sounded like Imran Khan in Pseudo id. There was an inevitable, green Paki flavor to it..
my take on the master a good 2 years back (before we won the world cup)
Arnab, I am sorry. May be there is some cricket statistics that I am unaware of. Could you please tell the match in which Tendulkar scored 50-odd off only 18 balls playing Qadir and Mushtaq?
Neeraj – How old are you ? Its very likely that either you were not born or not old enough to have seen the Tendulkar vs. Qadir game. Actually a T20 game.
The Greatbong Blog & Podcast 
Beutifully written… I understand there is not much to say now that he is gone…
Very well written dada! Echoes my sentiment.
Very well written Arnab.
I remember the times when we would sit at the TV at the hostel mess, and cheer Sachin at the top of our voice. he was the first player who made us feel that nothing was impossible with the bat.
I remember the the Qadir over.The electricity in my area had been cut and my brother and I were glued to the Sanyo 2-in-1 stereo. I was in despair as yet another defeat against arch rivals was looming. My brother said- Wait – I have heard the 16-year old is a great hitter (Till today I am not sure if he was bluffing or if Sachin had really hit similarly in domestic cricket). Before I could say anything like – I am not sure etc – The sound from the radio blared – all i could hear was “aur ye inhone” …and then nothing could be heard. Before the cacophony of the Hindi comentator + Pakistani crowd would die down, it would restart as another six was hit.
That moment in time is forever frozen.
Decent article but expected more. I guess its because u set such a high bar with your other posts on cricket! Felt like u sold out in trying to make it appeal to non circket following NY Times readers.
Did you have anything to do with the shoaib akhtar promotional video in the middle of your sachin article?
Was there a word-limit? I had expected something longer.
Anyway, here is mine: http://ovshake.blogspot.in/2012/12/et-tu.html
“Sachin has retired from the one-day game, a format he revolutionized”.
How ? I think in Sachin’s generation it was Sanath jaysurya and a lesser extent Mark greatbatchrevolutionized oneday. May be i am illitrate. Pls enlighten me how Sachin revolutionized oneday ?
That’s not the way the greatbong rolls, something was mussing fr sure
Missing*
Its always difficult to write something on Sachin Tendulkar. There are many people who’d be more devoted fans, and would be knowing more about him. But a nicely written piece nevertheless.
But I agree with Dj on the part of revolutionizing the game. Since the debut of Tendulkar, one-day cricket has seen two huge changes, none of which were brought about by him. The universal focus to fielding can be attributed to a person called Jonty Rhodes, and the practice of hitting out in the first 15 overs was institutionalized by Sanath Jayasuriya (There might have been a few aberrations like Srikkanth and Greatbatch, but 100 in 15 overs became a norm only after the 1996 World Cup). Curtly Ambrose started preaching and practicing economic bowling, but none of the other fast bowlers could catch up, and we still end up giving away 250+ regularly.
For me, the biggest contribution of Sachin Tendulkar was the optimism he could generate in the hearts of a hundred million people. Whatever the situation might have been, we never lost hope if Tendulkar was there.
I never shared this with anyone, but I always had cricketing fantasies of my own. I thought I was too obsessed, but it turns out that I was not alone 🙂
I read the comments on the NyTimes blog and everyone just seems to miss the point. Well, I didn’t because it echoes my sentiments perfectly! Being in early 30s myself, I can relate to what you say. I won’t be exaggerating if I say that other than my family / friends Sachin was the most important person in my life while I was growing up, the second being Shahrukh Khan. And yes, for the lack of a better word it was ‘love’. When Sachin and Sehwag got out cheaply on a poor shot, I was angry on Sehwag but heartbroken for Sachin. I think that was love. And same for Shahrukh, when I used to watch lot of his movies then it was about him not the movie. Case in point is that I really appreciate some movies that Aamir has done off late. But the focus is not him, it’s a good cinema.
Very lucidly written, Arnab. I shall look forward to reading more of your pieces on NYT.
Adieu, Sachin !
“He unleashes the most audacious of strokes at Pakistan’s best spinners, Qadir and Mushtaq, and scores 50-odd off only 18 balls”
Really? I guess you forgot to proofread this sentence.
I am sorry Neeraj Rohilla, but what is wrong in this sentence? Facts? English? Its actually proof-read by the guys at NYT.
you are the greatest writer Arnab, mind you am not the best critic. But I just love your ramblings, especially on Cricket and Bollywood you reach an all together higher pedestal..The first 3-4 paragraphs were out of this world..but the first comment to your post in NY times to me sounded like Imran Khan in Pseudo id. There was an inevitable, green Paki flavor to it..
my take on the master a good 2 years back (before we won the world cup)
http://identitymasking.blogspot.in/2010/02/tribute-to-master-by-unknown-mediocre.html
Arnab, I am sorry. May be there is some cricket statistics that I am unaware of. Could you please tell the match in which Tendulkar scored 50-odd off only 18 balls playing Qadir and Mushtaq?
http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/145713.html Do come back and tell me what the proof-reading problem was. Once again.
Just wanted to direct readers to the comments at the original NYT India Ink site…
Arnab, great piece as always.
Struck a chord. Again as always.
Nicely written GB. Now how about one for Tony Greig. Gonna miss that guy.
Wish you a very Happy Birthday GB 🙂
Neeraj – How old are you ? Its very likely that either you were not born or not old enough to have seen the Tendulkar vs. Qadir game. Actually a T20 game.
Video link with Qadir’s comments on Sachin’s outstanding knock. Apparently, Qadir dared Sachin to hit sixes and Sachin took the offer in style.
Ah those glorious days!
Love it!!!! Aptly portrays why a generation worshiped him so.