I was 5-6 years old when this "kid" came into international screen. Before I could understand what cricket was all about I had become his devotee and he my idol. At that age I failed to understand why other players of Indian team struggled against the bowlers, pitch, when this man was hammering all of them. That time what I didn't realize that he was above all, he was genius, he was god's man sent to the earth to show people how beautiful batting can look.

Seriously.....strokes played by sachin look so different. The straight drives, cover drives, square cuts, pulls, hooks.... paddle sweeps, reverse sweeps... name any shot and sachin has added his touch, exquisite timing, immaculate placement. Mark any point on the ground and sachin can hit bowlers there. The way sachin plays, I always felt that it is a grave injustice to him, awarding him just 4 runs or 6 runs...he should get bonus points for the elegance and compactness he brings to it.. Not a single watt-power more not a penny less, as if behind every shot he has calculated the bat swing, the angle, the stance, the effort everything... just perfect.

But the thing which really sets him apart from the likes of sehwag's, pointing's even lara's is the way he keeps his ego and pride away and constantly cut out the risky shots which might cost him his wicket... to tell the world as if.... I don't live by those shots ... those were my creation but I can do easily without them.... and still score tons of runs.... Which is the most difficult thing to do... given his stature... I guess the biggest negative trait of geniuses is "EGO" and sachin has cut out that too... giving himself a godliness stature...

While cutting those shots the flamboyance might wade off a bit ...but it shows how much he puts into the game...how much he prizes his wicket... and still is able to smile and laugh all the way...

Apart from all this the way sachin carries himself, on and off the field is simply superb. His passion, perseverance and love for the game is really amazing...even after nineteen years of doing same job.. he goes about doing it with same vigor...The calmness, composure, the radiance on his face is so reassuring... the "Main Hoon Na" effect... We can't think of a moment when sachin has gone or can go wrong.

I just can't understand how people can think of criticizing him. But then I guess criticizing is the most easiest thing to do...it takes nothing apart from your tongue and makes u feel as if u r as good as, if not better, than that person. And still I never have found him retaliating against it... probably he doesn't care as to what others say.

Days are passing by... now at 35 sachin is getting old and again everyone is going for his neck... to which he yesterday replied...

"No one should tell us when to retire because no one told us when to start or when to come "

-what a reply sir... a masterstroke...


I don't see anyone even quarter worth of sachin (in his current form) in juniors so its not as if sachin is occupying someone else's place.

Coming to the record part I hope that he passes the 50 - centuries record in tests and another 50 in one-dayers... not just for the sake of records but because he deserves it...

No one should be able to break his record.... Nobody....Seriously, I always do pray for that ... that stupid Pointing is approaching... but I just hope....

But then I guess geniuses are above stats... the pure joy which sachin has provided to cricket fans and to hundreds of devotees like me... is priceless...

Never, even for a second, did we ruined bunking classes, lectures and not studying for exams to watch him bat... bowl and field....

May god keep him away from niggles and injuries and give him all the strength to continue for as long as he wishes....