I am amazed at the vitriol and nasty language hurled at Sachin. I do understand our frustrations, our disappointment and our capitulation in the WC, but dont, please dont pull down a man we ourselves placed on a pedestal. Lets not bring him down and sully him.
More than anger, I felt sadness when I saw that ball sneak in and bowl Tendulkar. Sadness that a giant has fallen, A MAN the likes of whom have NEVER walked the Indian sports scene.
What has Tendulkar given us over the almost 2 decades he has played for India. He has given his life, his passion and his commitment. How many times have we watched in awe, in slack-jawed amazement, stayed up all nights to watch him play and shout and cherish and admire his skill, his talent, his 100% commitment to team India.
We have loved his pure, uncomplicated, clean style of batsmanship. No scandals, no controversies, just a simple desire to excel and dominate bowlers.
From the moment he walked into our lives as a curly haired, chubby cheeked, 16 year old to the time he has matured, his body taking its toll, his back, elbows, knees, shoulders, all groaning under this weight of expectations of a billion people, we have admired him, worshipped him and revered him.
He will surely go one day and leave our cricket fields the poorer, but hasnt he earned the time and method of his departure. He is a man of immense personal pride and he will go BEFORE he is asked to, but let him decide that. He has earned that right. WE gave him that right when he won our hearts and souls.
To boo him and to insult him is an affront to this man, this professional, this DON of our generation.
