Thank You

I am trying to gather my thoughts, but I’m failing miserably.

This could well be a rambling post.

I can’t eulogize my all time favorite player like much better talented writers have recently; but I have to write something about the man who is responsible for my cricket addiction. I have to express my thoughts about a player who made me fall in love with the game at a very young age. Eden Gardens in 1996 may have been in flames, but Sachin Tendulkar walked out of the stadium and the semifinal a superhero in my eyes; and became a personal obsession I just couldn’t shake off over the next two decades.

I have to write something; but I can’t.

Words fail me. Even if I do manage to string a few sentences together, it’s not gonna do Sachin any justice.

So, I’m just going to say a non-cynical ‘Thank You Sachin’.

Thank you for the autograph you gave me as a kid, when I had no idea who you were.

Thank you for the privilege of watching you grow into a legend.

Thank you for being imperfect and reminding everyone that it is possible to excel even if one is not at their best.

Thank you for your love of the game.

Lastly, thank you for your two consecutive sixes in the only Test I have watched live in a stadium!

I cried because of cricket for the first time when Tendulkar got stumped in the 1996 World Cup semifinal in Calcutta.

And I will cry for the last time when Tendulkar waves his final goodbye in Mumbai.

Au revoir, legend!