Cherishing the Memories : A Tribute to the Legend.

Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar - the name itself is enough for a thousand hands coming together, each time the Little Master comes out on the field to play for his country. The name that echoes in our heart each time we think of the word: cricket.

I still remember; during my school days, whenever India played a cricket match, I'd rush home as fast as possible from school, tuition or any place I was. Hoping to catch a glimpse of Sachin playing. And he rarely ever disappointed! Every time he came out to bat, I felt my heart uplifted with an unexplained joy and excitement. Ever since I was a child, I bought only MRF bats for myself; I'd buy no other bat! I used to look into the mirror for hours together, holding that bat..and would try to play the drives and cuts the way he played.

When he opened the innings for India, he'd walk into the ground, his head held high. He'd look up to the skies, and walk towards the pitch. He'd take guard, ready to hammer any bowling attack that the opposition challenged him with. There was a fierce winning spirit in his calm eyes. A thousand emotions behind his magical smile. That brought me a rare feeling called happiness.

I grew up learning the fact that cricket, indeed was gentlemen's game. I learned the virtues of true sportsmanship and sheer dedication one must have to achieve the landmarks he did. He missed out the line on many occasions and had to go back to the pavilion owing to endless incorrect decisions. But he never flinched from his true character. The Little Master always kept his head high and bowed his way out of the ground.

He was the only reason that I learnt how to play cricket, and made this game my only religion. I grew up watching, copying and admiring those strokes he played, covering every nook and corner - inside and outside the cricket stadium. I grew up watching him fearlessly hammer the greatest bowlers of all time, who brought nightmares to other players in his team. I grew up watching him take off his helmet and raise his bat, on 100 different occasions. I grew up watching him achieve those paramount milestones with an untouchable and unparalleled record in the history of world cricket. I grew up watching him play the flawless cover drives, leg glance, sweep shots, inside out, upper cuts and his most marvelous trademark shot: the straight drive!

Even today; after watching him bat for almost two decades, my heart still skips a beat when the Master Blaster comes out to bat, with the same energy and enthusiasm of the 16 year old Sachin. I pray for his long innings, when he looks up at the skies. I can feel the echoes of the applause of those thousand people in my heart, when he connects his bat to get off the mark.

On October 10th, when I saw the news, I couldn't control my emotions and my eyes swelled up from crying for hours together. Its not the retirement of a batsman, its the end of an era. But then, I said to myself, "Don't cry because he's retiring. Smile. Smile and be proud that I'll get to see the God bat one more time. For those innumerable memories and the countless reasons he gave to make us smile." Sachin Tendulkar: a silent guardian, a watchful protector, a magician with half a kilo wand. The Master Blaster who donned the jersey no. 10, and achieved unbeatable class and excellence. The undoubted God of Cricket. Thank you Sir, thank you for everything that you gave to this country.

14th November, 2013 will be the day when that the God of cricket will walk down the Wankhede stadium in whites, one last time. That one last time, when millions of hearts will be uplifted seeing the little master playing for his nation. The day when people for once, will forget the nation that they belong to; and pay their final respect to the man who conquered the world of cricket for 24 years. That one last day, when the cheers and cries of the cricketing fans will echo with happiness, hope and unexplainable despair as we wave our final goodbye to Sir Sachin Tendulkar..

Mortals die, but legends live on. Forever and ever..