Indeed the life has come a full circle for you now, as you addressed it in the press conference. I am sure, you must have slept better than ever because you will not be haunted that badly by memories of Chennai 1999 test or Barbados for that matter either, since you have this so called "fourth innings chase" to your name now. Had you got out even 10 runs before target, people were always ready to get the hail out of you with comments like "He did not finish job even once in a lifetime. "though for sachinists like us it was just the matter of time to witness such a gritty effort by you.

 

You have shown such a gritty effort on numerous occasions only for others to waste it, and your name was entered in the black list who did not anchor final innings chase. Those all gritty efforts were forgotten so easily. I knew it must have hurt you deep inside somewhere. I am sure you must have said something like "Come on Sachin, this is it, just do not give it up until it is finished." And echoed the same advice to Yuvi as well since you have seen it ALL in the game of Cricket and "ALL" comprises of some special and gritty efforts going in vain after loss of a quick wickets or as a result of playing one bad session in the test.

 

It was not the trademark Sachin's Inning to be honest. It did not have those frequent free-flowing cover drives or your deadly straight drives leaving fielders unmoved. On the contrary, you made fielders to move here and there only to pick up the balls for you when you had completed smart singles and doubles. It was street smart and clever mind at work executing everything as you wanted it to.

 

 

The entire team almost contributed the win. Only difference this time was the effort did not went in vain and everyone believed we can do it and went about doing the job as required. In the past, how many times we have seen you trying to fight single handedly in India and even on the pitches abroad. Your efforts, then either did not produce results in India's favor either because other batsmen did not apply themselves or our bowlers were not able to take those 20 wickets which is probably the best way to win a test match. Whatever, you were always blamed no matter what the others did. So you were more of carrying other's blame.

 

 

People say ponting, lara have won matches chasing etc. etc.but no one bother keeping in mind they had at least one match winning factor i.e. strong batsmenship or deadly bowling attack while doing so. The mere fact that you were able to take India somewhat closer despite all the odds, was itself a great effort and deserved applaud; but who cares??Hope with these rejuvenated and confident colleagues, more and more of your efforts become fruitful and world understands your value better.

Lara named his daughter Sydney after he played that magical 153 at Sydney. I don't know what you are going to do about Chennai. But we know how precious it is for you and us too. I am going to tell dear manjarekar that his cute little ‘elephant' has carried lot of load for India and is not mere a sitting ‘elephant'.Mr. Ian chapel should try cleaning the ‘mirror' in which he had asked Sachin to see and judge himself, to wash his own face.

Cricket was the last thing on everyone's mind after what happened in Mumbai. And you really have this knack of doing right things at right time. British media have already hailed you as "Mother India" of cricket who tried to make people smile and forget their grief to some minute extent. Not even once, you forgot to mention the Mumbaites who suffered the pain of 26/11 in your media interactions and dedicating your performance to them was only apt for the situation. As Peterson described it, your scripts can't be written any better. That has been proven on numerous occasions.

 

Yes, as you said it this is not going to compensate for the loss of dear ones to those unfortunate people but everyone has to do anything possible to do the same and we are proud you did it brilliantly. Your gritty effort was really one of the numerous signs of life coming back on the track.

After playing for such a long stint, to have enthusiasm of 17 year old is rarest of the qualities. May be some of the shots are not seen that often but adjustment has not cost India in any way. You have found better ways to tackle situations and coming through them all as a winner. India is really proud to have mentor playing in the team and teammates should extract as much as they can from you.

 

Can I ask you Sachin, from where you bring this enthusiasm and talent? Maybe the answer of this question is the difference between you and many ordinary guys like us. You played kind of Cricket that no one ever imagined, then you taught and made Indians believe that how to play attacking cricket and win matches, then you have been carrying the expectations of Indians and lot of fans over the years, then you became mentor for rest of the team and now you have done what you could do best at this crucial moment. Just wanted to ask you ‘Can you play forever........please???'

Written By:  Sachin Nair