The 100th century was nothing but a number for him.
He never chased it but some of his critics did, using it as a platform
to question his credibility and commitment, forgetting the longevity
factor that marks his cricket journey.
True, it took him 24 innings, after the majestic 111 against South
Africa at Nagpur in the last World Cup, to reach that coveted mark, but
then he had come close on a few occasions.
Destiny?
The 85 at Mohali against Pakistan in the World Cup and the 94 against
the West Indies in the Test at Mumbai almost carried him to that
summit. But he was destined to achieve it in Bangladesh.
A little nudge and a controlled reaction, a poignant look at the sky
said it all. He was ready for the moment and did not allow it to weigh
him down with emotions. His Test best (248 not out) is also against the
same team but Friday’s knock was only his first ODI century against
Bangladesh.
Sachin will be 39 in a little over a month from now, but it will be
hard to find a cricket mind as young as this genius. Virat Kohli, his
partner at Mirpur during the maestro’s march to the grand peak, was a
year and 10 days old when Sachin made his debut at Karachi in 1989, and
Suresh Raina merely three. The hostile conditions of that contest in
Pakistan contributed towards making him one of the most resilient and
consistent performers the game has ever seen.
Respects his fans
His popularity stems from his desire to show respect to his fans,
especially the younger lot. On one occasion, at The Taj Palace in Delhi,
the local manager, a former Delhi first-class cricketer, brought some
30 kids unannounced to Sachin’s room. We were in the middle of a dinner
when the kids rang the bell. Sachin, though caught unawares, kept his
annoyance to himself. He coolly placed a chair in the middle of his room
and invited the children in, requesting them to do so in a disciplined
manner.
A queue was formed in a flash. A cute little boy, who was hardly six,
caught his attention. Sachin then took his time, wrote the boy’s name,
drew a smiley and patted him.
The session lasted a good 20 minutes and the children were very
thrilled. “I could have said no to the manager, but the kids would have
got a poor impression of a cricketer,”
Sachin explained later.
Sachin is worshipped by some of his fans, but the player himself does
not like this kind of adulation. “I am not God,” he has said
repeatedly. “I am a cricketer.”
Measured responses
In fact, he is so measured in his responses that he does not often
come across as a great subject for an interview. He is circumspect
simply because he does not want to hurt anyone. Even in the Greg
Chappell episode, he had told this correspondent, “If he has said that
(criticism) then I am hurt.” The emphasis was on the “if” and Sachin
insisted it was not to be missed.
Watching Sachin in full flow is a great experience. He has an amazing
ability to read the bowler’s mind. Above all, he remains humble.
He would keep his sorrows to himself and weep in solitude after a
shattering loss, as he believes that personal suffering and pain should
not be passed on to his colleagues. However, when celebrating a victory,
he wants every member of the team to join in the merriment. Sachin
treats grief and joy differently. Tears for himself; joy for the rest!
Glum night
That glum night in 1997 at a resort in Barbados is still vivid. India
had lost to the West Indies and Sachin was grieving in his room. He was
in tears and his wife (Anjali) sat speechless.
Sachin’s anguish needed no further proof. He didn’t speak for a long
time. He found it hard to believe that India had lost. Many thoughts
crossed his mind — Was he not a good captain? Was his team really
inferior?
Sachin just couldn’t comprehend the reasons for the devastating
defeat. However, he had the grace to invite this correspondent for
dinner, but I didn’t have the heart for it.
A few days later, India again lost a one-day match at St. Vincent from a winning position.
This time Sachin was livid, and it was a sight to see the team
disappear from the dining area as the Little Master emerged from his
room on the first floor. He did not speak to any of his colleagues for
two days.
Sachin did not blame anyone for the defeats — he never has. He may
have lost his cool a few times on the field but not to the extent of
hurting someone or inviting censure. He once lashed out at V.V.S. Laxman
in Sharjah for responding slowly to a call. Laxman laughs heartily even
to this day whenever he recalls the occasion. “That was the only time I
heard him use cuss words,” said Laxman of the incident.
Makes no excuses
Sachin doesn’t believe in making excuses. Instead he strives to
correct his mistakes, and that is the secret of his success. His
philosophy has always been: “Why should I gift my wicket? The bowler
must earn it.”
However, he once gifted his wicket to Saqlain Mushtaq, in Chennai in
1999, and India lost the Test. This after Sunil Gavaskar had warned him
not to play the lofted shot against the wily Pakistan spinner. That
dismissal still haunts Sachin.
A private person, he is at his best in the company of cricketers. He
will never miss a youngster reaching a milestone, taking his place in
the balcony of the dressing room, applauding from his heart. He can
joke, sing and indulge in pranks, just as any other member of the team.
He can cook for the team, sometimes winning the heart of the chef,
like once in Bulawayo when he treated the team to steaks. At heart, he
remains a cricketer.
Importance of Test ton
He knows the importance of a Test century. He also knows how it is
different from an ODI hundred. A Test century is crafted but in ODIs it
happens due to many factors.
He would not trade his best one-day century with his worst in Tests.
It is, as he once confided, best left to the critics. For Sachin, a
winning effort on the field counts. Statistics form a part of the game
but do not always reflect the best and the worst.
Most cricket followers would tell you: “It’s difficult to imagine Indian cricket without Sachin.”
True, Indian cricket will not be the same once he decides to hang up
his boots. But until then, let us bask in the glory of Sachin, the
rightful master of 100 international centuries — 51 in Tests and 49 in
one-dayers. courtesy: The Hindu
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