So soon he would retire, we would no longer be able to see him on the field. For some one like me whose most of the childhood memories are some how inseparably linked to his innings on the field that would be a terrible terrible loss. I am not sure whether Indian team would miss him or not. What I would certainly miss is discussing about him, talking about him. I would miss analyzing his first few shots, thinking whether he is playing like old Sachin, Sachin of 98 etc.
My earliest memory of him is of Hero cup in 1993. Those days watching of day/night cricket had become a family event. I remember my two uncles discussing when Sachin offered to bowl the last over. And what an over it was Sachin defended a meager target in last over. The match ended with one my uncles saying only Sachin could have saved the match.
Still even after that match I didn't much enjoy watching cricket, so while I was busy in my childhood activities years passed. The first time I watched him bat was on the day of "Holi" (1994) when he opened the innings for the first time in one day cricket. I used to be scared of Holi festival so had nothing else to do but sit at home. For the first time I sat alone at home watching a cricket match. (Later this was favorite thing to do). Little master went on to score 82 runs of 49 balls. He played all round the park. I fell in love with for all the shots, leg glances, flicks, powerful cover drives, punches of the back foot, dancing down the wicket against seam bowlers. I remember watching all the replays of that match for next few months.
So I started watching all India matches, like everyone else during that time wanted Sachin to score a century. Its hard to imagine now that it took him 79 matches to score his first century. It was not one of his best innings, but i was elated. (Srilankan pitches are the worst for one day cricket in any case)
More to come ....
My earliest memory of him is of Hero cup in 1993. Those days watching of day/night cricket had become a family event. I remember my two uncles discussing when Sachin offered to bowl the last over. And what an over it was Sachin defended a meager target in last over. The match ended with one my uncles saying only Sachin could have saved the match.
Still even after that match I didn't much enjoy watching cricket, so while I was busy in my childhood activities years passed. The first time I watched him bat was on the day of "Holi" (1994) when he opened the innings for the first time in one day cricket. I used to be scared of Holi festival so had nothing else to do but sit at home. For the first time I sat alone at home watching a cricket match. (Later this was favorite thing to do). Little master went on to score 82 runs of 49 balls. He played all round the park. I fell in love with for all the shots, leg glances, flicks, powerful cover drives, punches of the back foot, dancing down the wicket against seam bowlers. I remember watching all the replays of that match for next few months.
So I started watching all India matches, like everyone else during that time wanted Sachin to score a century. Its hard to imagine now that it took him 79 matches to score his first century. It was not one of his best innings, but i was elated. (Srilankan pitches are the worst for one day cricket in any case)
More to come ....
