I am not a cricket fan. Nor do I follow
the sport. Yet I sing along the infectious, “Sachiiiin Sachin” (clap, clap,
clap) even today when the camera momentarily pans and zooms in on the retired
legendary sportsman chilling at the dug out during IPL matches. Who can escape
the magic of Sachin? What a life! What a magnificent body of work! What high
standards and glorious achievements. What a man, what a character! He is a
living legend, always smiling, always humble, larger than life yet oddly relatable
and extremely lovable. A thorough gentleman yet a beast with a bat on field. The
day he announced retirement with that gooseflesh inducing epic speech, even I,
who doesn’t follow cricket was heart-broken. It felt like an era had ended. So
many popular culture references, parodies and mimicries in Bollywood or tv shows
(after all imitation is the sincerest form of flattery!), countless fun and memorable advertisments, Wow. Sachin is
such an important part of almost everyone’s life. How many yeas of his life has
he poured into his passion! How many injuries has he sustained, how much pain
he endured and kept us entertained. How fervently was he idolized and then
with equal zeal was his every move dissected or criticized under the microscopic
eyes of millions. He gave us his sweat, blood, tears, his all. He has been a
powerful yet good influence on so many people, especially aspiring sportsmen
and youngsters. Indeed a special soul. Happy Birthday Sachin. And thank you for
being You.
-
S. Chaudhary
Images courtesy Google Images
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