Sachin proves doubters wrong yet again
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By Mina Anand, 8 Mar 2010 The Crowd is a Roar Pro
- Tagged:
- Cricket, Sachin Tendulkar
Twenty years on, and those who make a sport of ‘writing-off’ champions must be red-faced – chewing their words over and over again thanks to the Little Master.
Cricket fans will recall the ‘prophecies of doom’ that habitually predict ‘time out’ for Sachin, doing their very best to send the Little Master back to the pavilion.
The doomsayers bring ingenuity to their epithet writing. In attempting to get a Tendulkar out, they bring to the fore the gamut of creativeness, showcasing a repertoire that would not do a cricketer proud: Underhand trajectories, full tosses, chuckers, beamers.
The missiles are thrown fast and furious. There are twists and swings as well.
“’End’-ulkar”!
“White Elephant”!
“Lamentable decision to join the Lashings Club”
“Sachin Tendulkar struggling for runs!”
“Sachin playing for the wrong reasons!”
“Sachin to honestly look in the mirror”
“Sachin to emulate McGrath, Lara – retire when the time is up!”
“Indian Players never quit – they have to be pushed out.”
“Some Indian batsmen are just there for endorsement deals.”
“Can make and break records only against Bangladesh..”
The media slavishly lapped up these below par offerings – dished out by ‘foreign (and local ) hands’.
While we cricket followers (staunch and loyal), kept calling out, “Dead ball”, our shouts went unheard. No place for the right to appeal and refute.
But the champion didn’t need any championing. He stood up tall, and faced the bowling fearlessly. Tirelessly. Effortlessly. Classical in his approach. A 20-year-old in his enjoyment of the game, classy in his attitude.
Categorically exposing the ‘skill’ of these ‘experts’ who sadly do not have the grace to retract and apologise. Au contraire, they unashamedly become ‘fair-weather’ columnists.
Thus, while the paeans keep pouring in for Tendulkar, it’s also time to write the epitaphs of those who have been dead wrong in their calling.
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The Crowd Says (6) | Page 1 of Comments
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Ken said | March 8th 2010 @ 7:48am | Report comment
I’m not sure what you’re trying to say – the headlines that you’ve posted are pretty tame really, most well-known players have had worse said about them.
‘Sachin Tendulkar struggling for runs!’ – well, was he? Great player with amazing longevity but it’s not like he averages 100 in every series he plays.
“Sachin to emulate McGrath, Lara – retire when the time is up!” – are you implying that unlike these other champions Tendulker will never need to retire? Surely you agree that it will be better for him to retire while still a champion rather than waiting til he is a burden. Considering his age he’s obviously closer to the end of his career than the start – I don’t see this as inflammatory.
Whiteline said | March 8th 2010 @ 3:14pm | Report comment
Ken, you are spot on. Tendulkar did struggle for a couple of years by his standards so isn’t it ok for journalists and punters to ask the obvious questions?
Given he is such a fine player it isn’t surprising that he eventually found his way back into form – a bit like Dravid, similar thing happened to him. Not sure what this article is trying to accomplish. I’m sure Tendulkar’s biggest fans would have asking many of the same things over the past few years prior to his current patch of form.
Mina Anand said | March 9th 2010 @ 12:08am | Report comment
Whiteline and Ken, the point I’m trying to make (and obviously failing !) is :
1. Those who wrote off Sachin long before his time, were obviously dead wrong in their judgement.
2. Any cricket follower would know that champions like Sachin know best when to retire – surely the cricketer will know how much cricket is left in him – mentally and physically…
3. About the ‘McGrath and Lara’ bit – Ian Chappell urged Sachin to follow the example of these two and retire when the time is up (in 2007- when Sachin was around 34 and McGrath was 37 )
Now if Sachin had followed Chappell’s advice – he would have retired well ‘before’ his time !
4. Yes, it is always better for a cricketer to retire when still in form – but who are we to say when that time is?
Surely, it is up to the selectors and to the cricketer himself.
5. And though I am not ‘Sachin’s biggest fan’ – but just a cricket follower – I am glad I never doubted his prowess, or attitude, or ever once thought that he should retire. Nice to know that I called right !!
Of course, we are all entitled to our opinion and have every right to express our criticism. But, when the critics (the experts that is ) keep harping on the ‘retiring’ issue – and when they are proved completely wrong – it would be better if they graciously apologise. There are some, who do ! Rare breed though !
Last, but not the least – Duminy is going through a horror patch. Do we doubt his skill and write him off ? Young or old, a good cricketer will go through rough times, and it would be better not to rush off and write their cricketing obituaries !
vas said | March 9th 2010 @ 12:02am | Report comment
Tendulkar’s performances during the last 12 months is testament to his longevity, and yes, a great comeback at those who thought he should hang up the boots.
Before that though, he was struggling and looking unable to come to terms with advancing age. At the time, if he retired, then it would have been a shame to end such a wonderful career, but an appropriate choice given his struggles.
What Tendulkar has shown is that he is a champion, and can take his place alongside other champions of the game. End of the day though, even good journos earn their coin by questioning how a team can get better. No doubt Tendulkar currently is an asset to the Indian team. The argument was that last year he was becoming ever further a liability.
I just hope Tendulkar plays this well until next year’s World Cup and then retires for good. I’d have him leave playing well, rather than father time calling…
johno said | March 12th 2010 @ 4:03am | Report comment
Pity about his stats outside the subcontinent
marees said | March 20th 2010 @ 5:54am | Report comment
??? – what stats? why pity?