Sachin Tendulkar – the ‘God of Cricket’ has been facing lots of criticisms for not contributing enough as expected from a Champion Cricketer. The stats show that he has not reached 20 in his last six test innings and has scored just 153 runs in his last 10 test innings. But one should not just go with the stats to judge his current form and it is time we think about his achievements and capabilities.
He has got the backing of Dravid, Gavaskar, Sidhu and BCCI who feel he has still got the game of cricket in him and he just needs to continue. I am sure everyone would have accepted that too if he was 5-7 years younger than now. But Unfortunately in the game of cricket, the body should support as much the mind can. Sachin is closing near 40 and the Legend has been playing close to 24 years now. For people who have played or playing cricket, would know that it is not just a mean achievement and he has played more number of matches and for years than any one else.
Talking about the Legend, there is another class player who can get closer to the talent that Sachin has. It is Ricky Ponting and it is sad to hear on his retirement and the 3rd Test against South Africa in Perth will be his last match in an international game. He might have been on news on many occasions for bad reasons, but one should admit being a cricket fan, that he has got great talent and has achieved enough. Personally, I felt bad only when few people like Dravid, Kumble, VVS retired and now it is Ponting and sooner or the later Sachin too. All these people have given so much to the game of cricket (I know there are so many other Legends) and it is hard to imagine when you hear this news of retirement and also these people felt that it was time for retirement before the selectors thought otherwise. So I feel one should just enjoy the game till the Legends are playing and I am sure they know much better than any one else when it is time to pack the bags for good.
If it was someone else facing such a bad form, I do not think that the critics would have really bothered about making it as a news as much as it has been for Sachin. But, it is all up to what he thinks at this stage, does he really want to retire after the current India Test Series against England with 2 more test matches remaining or if he can continue for some more series. Anyways, I can see the end days of him, so I am just going to sit back and enjoy the strokes that he plays until his retirement. I only hope the man who has done so much to Indian Cricket than any one else retires in good terms.