The Chosen One - a conspiracy revealed (by Varun Khanna)

The early eighties were probably the watershed years for Indian cricket. The young hurricane from Haryana had led the country to the first ever world cup victory over mighty West Indies. Some say that it was a fluke… a beautiful coincidence, perhaps! Or so it was proved by the thrashing from Clive’s eleven in a home series immediately after the Prudential Cup was paraded and then placed on a mantle post the ceremonies. Fluke or deserving, but that victory created a brand new breed of followers of the game in India. The world championship series win in Australia following that only added the fuel to the fire as the enthusiasts signed up at a record pace. There was an audience being created… a huge audience… which discovered the joy of watching the game of cricket - demanding their team to do well.  Purely in economic theory terms, the demand was rising yet the supply of winning moments was only diminishing. The stalwarts of the Indian cricket… the Gavaskars, Vengsarkars, Srikants and Amarnaths were reaching the end of their career. Regardless of this, the size of the market and demand of cricketing glory continued to grow and the gap between demand and supply continued to get wider.

There were signs and surely the angels covering the game must have noticed this well in advance, because they had already got into action. The harvests in the grounds of Shivaji Park and Azad Maidan had provided best crop of cricketing talent in the past. The chosen one had arrived on the same fields and was now in his teens, thrashing bowlers and records already. Riding pillion with his coach and mentor, he was moving from ground to ground, announcing himself to the world. He was to be called and he was called at the age of 16 years and 205 days… to don the India cap and start his career from arguably the most hostile terrain in the whole world for an Indian cricketer. The year was 1989 and the world of cricket changed after that. For next 24 years, Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar ruled the hearts and minds of the ever growing lovers of game both in India and abroad.

Twenty four years is a lot of time in which a lot can happen… and lot did happen. The stocks of the game rose to dizzying heights. Almost as if it was the part of the some script, liberalization and opening up of media in early 90s came with immaculate timing. Viewership, sponsorship, advertisement, contracts - the world was converging to Sachin’s brand of cricket. People thronged to see their favourite, the son of the soil bat and Sachin didn’t disappoint them. He seemed to have bought the ownership rights of those 22 yards that matter on cricket grounds across the world and he was serving delectably sumptuous portions which left his admirers with filled stomachs yet craving for more. On the way records were shattered, unprecedented heights were claimed. A short boy with curly hair from Mumbai, had become the God of Cricket. The cricket was shining and the angels were smiling on a job well done! It was working as a dream till the time came for the God to retire...

But Gods do not retire… so how could the God of cricket announce his retirement?

The truth had to come out in open. On that fateful afternoon on 16^th November, 2013 it was none other than Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar - the chosen one, who revealed in his speech the fact that his success was a conspiracy. Conspiracy? Yes, ladies and gentlemen. The greatness of the level that Sachin Tendulkar achieved does not happen in isolation. It takes entire universe to conspire to make it happen. And in a manner which he spilled the beans, brought lumps in the throats and tears in the eyes of those who saw and heard the truth come out. Only that this time, the lumps and tears were of joy! (Full text of Sachin Tendulkar's farewell speech at Wankhede stadium).

One of the very first co-conspirators was Ramesh Tendulkar, his father. Most of us who are of same age group as Sachin would recall that during that period in mid eighties, there were indeed very few fathers who would have given their child ‘freedom’ to go and chase their dreams. Probably a teacher and a writer could have been the only one to take that call and instill the values that shaped his demeanor on and off the field and ultimately made him what he became to the people across the world. Second one on Sachin’s list on his speech was his mother. A mother, who prayed for him, took care of his well being and made sacrifices throughout his career. Was it then, only a coincidence that Sachin had to be born to parents like that?

He mentioned his three siblings – three more co-conspirators. His eldest brother, Nitin and his sister Savita and their families, who believed in him right from the beginning and were at his side throughout the ups and downs. In fact it was his sister Savita, who presented him with his first Kashmir Willow cricket bat. Then it was Ajit, his other brother - the co-dreamer - someone who spotted the spark and took him to Achrekar Sir… someone who sacrificed his own career and spent his life time being his guide and mentor on techniques. What would have happened if that kind of sibling support and care was not made available to him? Well, as per him, he would have been a ‘lesser cricketer’ without them.

Further in his speech, he brings out three more co-conspirators. His wife Anjali with whom he had the best partnership. A paediatrician by profession, who gave up her career to allow him to continue to give joy and pride to his countrymen.  Now, many in support of women equality may not like this and it just goes on to highlight the invaluable sacrifice that young woman made so that her husband, who she knew (as told by her in a interview) belonged first to his cricket, his nation, and then to her. He spoke about his kids – his two diamonds who were now in their teens and seem to have grown up almost behind him – the times they would have missed their father in a school function or when some accolades were bestowed upon them. His immediate family were conspiring through their sacrifices as well.

He spoke touchingly about his friends, old ones from his early playing days and the new ones he made over the years. He thanked them for being there with him 24 x 7, keeping their own work aside - whether it was to bowl to him in nets, joining him on a holiday or just to be there when he was surrounded by self doubt. Such friends are rare and a treasure, was he just plain lucky to have such friends or was someone had strategized it from heavens?

He spoke respectfully about his coach and mentor, Achrekar Sir, who is yet to say “well played” to him, only to ensure that he continues to strive and lift his game, no matter what he has already achieved. What are the odds for one to find a ‘Guru’, who not only gives you knowledge, but also keeps that fire in you burning that pushes you to learn even more than what he can teach you?

He spoke warmly about his fellow cricketers. He acknowledged his seniors and heroes who inspired him. Importance of role models in one’s life cannot be undermined. They are the reason for your first step towards pursuing greatness. Then he spoke about his team-mates who played alongside him. There was a long time in his initial career when he carried the weight of the nation’s expectations alone on his shoulders before Sourav, Rahul, Anil and VVS came by to share the load giving him opportunity to play his cricket fearlessly. If it wasn’t for these stalwarts, surely his shoulders would have tired sooner and not provided him space to achieve the pinnacle that he achieved. He encouragingly mentioned the young turks who are shaping the continued success of Indian cricket as he reminded them that they are the best of the best and extremely gifted so as to represent their country. He stands as a living example to them and many who will join the game in future, of what comes back to you when you play your game with right spirit and best of your ability, both on and off the field.

In his humility, he mentioned the support staff – the doctors, physios and trainers who managed his body for him and for teaching him how to respect it. You certainly cannot play nonstop at this level for so many years without this support and knowledge. They were rightfully the co-conspirators in his success.

He did not forget to mention his management team and specially his good friends Vinod Naydu and first manager Mark Mascarenhas. These are the people who would have benefited most from maximizing the returns from brand Sachin Tendulkar, yet they set aside their own vested interests to ensure he was left alone when it mattered. The famous incident when Sachin refused to act in a cola commercial in a way that shows him to be bigger than the game or his refusal to do any promotion for liquor and tobacco products despite being offered a fortune, were no short of a nightmare to manage. Yet they did it with an understanding of the man they were managing and the weight of expectations that he was carrying. They were the people who made him financially secure and allowed him to express himself the way he wanted, both on and off the field.

And then he spoke about the people he played for – his countrymen and supporters who egged him relentlessly whenever he came out to play. He thanked them for their unrelenting support for such a long period. People, who had prayed and fasted, shaved their heads in support and with courage stood up against any criticism that was unnecessarily imposed on him. What would be a deity without his devotees?

And finally, after his speech he walked up to one of the main conspirators, the twenty two yards in the middle of the cricket ground. He touched it reverently in gratitude. It was his ‘karma-bhoomi’, which was a teacher, facilitator, witness and a partner all at the same time in his journey and the success.

Sachin’s final speech moved heart and minds of all kinds of people – sportsmen, skeptics, fans, followers and critics alike. The speech was nothing but revelation of the conspiracy that the universe hatched to bring to the game of cricket the enigma of Sachin Tendulkar. However he (understandably so) did not mention at all the biggest contributor of this conspiracy. None of it all would have translated into anything if it wasn’t for that one person called Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar.

One of the basic laws of physics is that if there is no action, there will be no reaction. None of this guidance, support, sacrifices, devotion and friendship would have come to him if he had not sought for it, if he had not had the burning desire and courage to chase his dream. While it is a fact that a lot of things had to fall in place in life of Sachin Tendulkar for him to reach the ultimate heights, it is also true that most important ingredient in the formula for success (if ever there is a formula) is the impact of the choices you make in pursuit of success. Credit completely and deservingly goes to him for making right choices of people, approach and attitude. As guided by his father, he did not take short cuts and chose to continuously harness his natural talent through hard work, devotion and discipline.

It is the karmic principle that your own karma decides the results you get - and if you put everything behind what you desire, the entire universe conspires to bring it to you!

Thank you, Sachin - for the cricket and teaching the world what it takes to get what you want!

© Varun Khanna 

Sachin may have gone, but his legacy will live for eternity and guide future generation

Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar has finally retired, and I have many friends who've asked me as to why I am being so partial towards the man India likes to call God as to not write a single article after his retirement. It is not that one doesn't eulogise the man, who I prefer to call a phenomenon who excited & inspired a nation of over a billion and became a hero of the masses. It is just that so many reams of newsprint, airtime, websites & blogs have already been filled with articles, analyses, comparisons and tributes to his genius that one wonders what else is left to say in his honour. Everything that needs to be written about the man has already been written. Or has it? So, here's my two-bit.

The one thing that everyone has been discussing is what really makes Sachin Tendulkar different from the others? The easy answer would be, "His 24 years at the crease, his 100 International Centuries, his 200 Tests, his 34,000 International runs across all forms of the game, virtually every batting record that exists in the game." These are just outcomes, in my opinion, of how the man has lived two dozen years of his life on the cricket field. The true answer to the question lies elsewhere - in his discipline, in his dedication, in his determination, in his demeanour.

Discipline

If one person has defined discipline on the field in cricket globally, it is none other than Tendulkar. As team-mates, competitors, administrators, groundsmen, commentators have said so often, Sachin is always the first to reach for the practice sessions, despite being the one who probably needs it the least. His unmistakable shadow practice on the pitch was a moment the ground staff dreaded. Sachin’s eyes would wander off the pitch and into the galleries behind the stumps. The focus would be on the sightscreens. Manyatime he would suggest - to the fright of the ground staff - that the sightscreen be shifted a bit to a more appropriate position. He did it for years and did it without fail. After the practice session got over, Sachin would spend hours having animated discussions with even the newest members in the team, taking their opinion on how he could have improved something. He always wanted to learn new tricks, and he remained an eternal student of the game.

And this started way before he joined the Indian team, becoming the youngest Indian to don the cap. Sachin's first roommate from his Ranji Trophy days, Suru Nayak, has revealed that the master blaster was always practicing shots in the night when he was barely 14 years old. He recalled the days when the young Tendulkar and he shared a room during the Ranji Trophy match against Baroda and although Tendulkar was selected at the age of 14, the selectors decided not to play him in the fast Moti Baug pitch since some of them felt he was too tiny and may not be able to play well. According to Nayak, whenever he looked at him, Tendulkar was taking batting stances in the room and practicing different shots. According to Nayak, the sparkle in Tendulkar's eyes, coupled with enthusiasm, was something special. No wonder, the young Mumbai boy would go on to become the greatest batsman the world has ever seen.

Dedication

Some of Tendulkar's team-mates have recalled the days, during India's tour to Pakistan in 1989, when he sleepwalked. "One night I was surprised to see a dazed looking Tendulkar walking out of his hotel room and mumbling in Marathi "maajha bat, maajha bat (my bat, my bat)". That's when we realised that he was actually sleepwalking,'' said Navjot Sidhu. Even in sleep, Sachin was dreaming about cricket.

As Harsha Bhogle recalls, "The words that I remember the most from my first major interview with Sachin Tendulkar years ago, when we had talked about subjects as diverse as sleepwalking in search of bats and his love for cars are: "I'm still obsessed". This was, after all, the same individual who used to arrive at Shivaji Park at dawn and ask if the gardeners could be instructed to erect nets right away, failing which he could do it himself."

That hunger has been ever-present. There is an anecdote from his boyhood of travelling all night for a game, reaching the destination at 3:00 am. After getting just an hour's sleep, well before dawn, he woke up the coach and asked whether they could proceed to the ground because he wasn't happy with his game and wanted to practice before the match. All these years, that meticulous streak has always been there, purple patch or lean trot. And it is such dedication only that has made him reach for the stars and made the world to bow before him.

He is one of the few Indians who binds the whole of this country. Probably no other person in the country is as much or as uniformly admired as him - not an Amitabh Bachchan, not a Rajnikanth, not a Lata Mangeshkar. His dedication to the sport and the will to do well and win accolades for India and, in the process, for himself have won him so many die-hard fans. One may easily argue that he played for his own records, but had he not played the way he did, he won't have played for India for long and won't have got to those records. Even if one continues to argue that he played for the records only, that still shows his dedication and zeal to excel and be the best in the world. Also, the price that he has had to pay as an individual is incomparable to the records and rewards. Remaining away from family on their special occasions for years at a stretch is not easy for anyone, specially for one who didn't have a need to play for eking out a living anymore or for winning more laurels than he'd already done. He could've chosen to depart earlier; just that his passion & dedication kept him going for so long.

Determination

For two dozen years, Tendulkar sparked the imagination of every Indian and carried their dreams on his shoulders, and it took a lot of determination to continue to do that for so long. He did not teach India how to win against the stiffest competition even in their own backyard (Sourav Ganguly did that), but he taught India to believe in themselves and be ready to take on the might of anyone, and then give some back. He taught India to dream, and dream big. What we couldn't achieve in our everyday lives, we looked at Tendulkar to make up for on the cricket field. His passion to play for India, dominate the fiercest of bowlers and will to win every single match made him a darling of the masses and a nightmare for his competitors. And all of this came through fierce determination, a lot of self-belief and an excessively professional approach.

When back injury and a tennis elbow threatened to ruin his career, there was immense speculation that he would be forced to quit. Globally, almost every newspaper, sports channel and website carried detailed medical diagnosis and plainly asked whether his career was over. Surely, he'd made enough money to live quite luxuriously and yet leave a lot for the next few generations, they argued, and he could quit playing without a worry. But would he be able to do that, or would we get yet another opportunity to see him in action? Many even said (including yours truly) that his era was over, and he should accept what fate had thrown at him and retire gracefully. But, he came back with even more determination and silenced all the critics.

Demeanour

It is well known that at the nets, once Sachin puts on his pads, he does not take them off very easily. Even after he is done with batting, he makes it a point to bowl in the nets or sit at a side and keep watching till the last man comes off. Then, gently, he would offer his observations and give some tips to help the batsmen and the bowlers improve. His magnificent demeanour can also be gauged by observing him when he is thronged by fans. Unless he is terribly mobbed, he always stops to sign autographs for children. If a photograph is requested, he is polite to a fault. He always takes a bit of time to ask kids what class they are studying in, or some similar question that makes them feel that the little master cares.

Those who know Tendulkar well speak of a warm individual who cherishes his friendships and associations. Gautam Bhimani, the ESPN anchor, who was once invited over to Tendulkar's house on his birthday, had this to say: "It never felt as if I was interviewing India's biggest sporting icon and superstar. It was more like being invited home by a loving father who was excited about the fact that his kids had made special cards and woken him up in the morning to wish him." Such is the simplicity of Sachin.

He never comes late to any practice session, never comes late to the team bus, never comes late to any meeting. And then, he is ready for anything on the cricket field. In a match - despite being highly competitive - he has never let raw emotion take over him while rejoicing a century or bemoaning a dismissal. His celebrations when an opposing team wicket falls are child-like, not wild-like. When disappointed with a decision, he does not make any untoward gestures. When given out wrongly, he may look crestfallen, but never steps out of line, and continues the long walk back to the pavilion without any argument.

At a time when cricket is going through arguably its most troubling episodes of match-fixing, people are desperate for someone who stands for all that is good about the game. And Tendulkar is often the man who has had to carry that cross. He is one cricketer whose integrity has never ever been questioned. Does he want to be known as an example of all things good? Probably not. He wanted to be a normal cricket player, with all his weaknesses and faults. But we treated him like God... and he responded.

No wonder, he's been conferred India's highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, in the process becoming the very first sportsperson to receive the same and also becoming the youngest ever awardee across all genres. It is a well-deserved honour not for those records, but for setting a shining example of how one must follow his profession and lead his life... with utmost honesty & humility.

Well played, Sachin. Have a great life ahead!

© Shailesh Nigam