The "God of Cricket" as it is called in India for Sachin Tendulkar retired yesterday.
I barely got a chance to watch the match and so could not savor all the moments that are a part of history now.
But I did managed to witness him scoring his last 50. He was fabulous. The way he was playing must have made every body think, why is he actually retiring when there is so much of cricket left in him, The way he was handling spin as well as bouncers was awesome. I remember the way all the spectators were reacting on each one of his shot. If he missed a ball,which might go for LBW appeal, every body;s reaction was worth watching. I haven't seen such reaction towards any players except for some legendary Tennis players playing Wimbledon. Unfortunately I missed the match we he got out. I also missed yesterday's whole match which was his last day on the ground.
I checked all the videos later on. His last speech that tried to cover almost every body. The guard of honour given to him by Team India and his last walk to the pitch to say final good bye. It was all touching. People made it a grand procession all because of their love towards him.
And the ultimate news came that he will receive Bharat Ratna along with the renowned and most famous Indian Scientist C. N. R. Rao.
I think Sachin;s retirement has indeed created a big void. Actually the void had started opening long back with the retirement of Saurav Ganguly and Kumble that become bigger when Dravid and Laxman retired and now it has become deeper with the final episode of retirement of Sachin Tendulkar. His retirement has in real sense ended an era. People like us who grew up along with Tendulkar watching him growing will actually feel this void more. Somewhere we will find it difficult and less interesting to watch Cricket with out any of our heroes in action.
Today's new age players are doing a great work and they will definitely keep Indian flag high, but they are the idols of new age kids who will grow up watching them playing. I wonder this new generation players will be consistent enough to keep a place in Indian team for long time as any of the famous five players did. Will they be able to make a fan base any where closer to what the retired players. The spectators who will shed tears on their success and failures. I have doubts about that.
Indian Cricket has changed. It has become more professional. It doesn't show signs of strong connectivity with players as it was seen with Kumble, Ganguly, Dravid, Laxman and Tendulkar. Tendulkar's retirement brings an end to such kind of attachment to the Cricket and players. And that is the most hurting thing that happened yesterday.
