Sachin Tendulkar will make this Test series his own

Very few men have the ability and personality to unite nations.

India, through all its turmoil, abject poverty and will to be recognised globally, continues to polarise opinion.

Yet, when the ‘Little Master’ walks out, bat in hand, casually looking around the capacity filled cricket oval an entire nation is electrified. Sachin Tendulkar not only gives hope, he has that rare quality that turns hope into reality.

In what could be his last series, at home, against Australia, Tendulkar is the master key to a series victory.

Sure, Australia has the unflappable Michael Clarke, the next hero in waiting in the production line of personalities Australia produces.

Australia has gutsy fast bowlers, willing to break their backs to hear the skittle of stumps.

What Australia doesn’t have is a man who has destiny as his birth right.

Tendulkar’s form has been patchy for the past two years, and he hasn’t scored a century in the Test arena for that period.

He will in this series though.

It is his arena against his greatest opponents. This is where heroes rise.

It is from these potential moments where stories of phoenix’s rising are borne. Moments when fortune is behest on those who demand it.

Tendulkar is no fallen hero yet, nor has he anything to prove. Moments lie in waiting and the little master has waited too long.

Billions of eyes will be behind India’s warrior. Comparisons to Ghandi may be extreme, but Tendulkar’s sage-like qualities make the Indian public and the world cricketing public listen through his actions.

Rare moments of speaking only exemplify the myth of the man.

As a child, his fluidity, poise and grace with the bat were mesmerising. A player that even Don Bradman rated as his almost-equal.

His Indian team mates don’t need him to fire to win the contest.

Australian teams travel to India with beating the loss in mind before playing the victory.

The two year run drought is potentially the calm before the storm. Tendulkar playing a series-winning role would not be begrudged by any cricket lover.

Players of all sports have defied odds to rise as great champions.

Boxing had Ali. Horse Racing had Phar Lap. Andrew Johns could do it in rugby league. Pele in Football. Jesse Owens on the track.

When an athlete becomes the story in their own screenplay, it is big moments that they live for.

Many people don’t realise that Tendulkar was introduced to cricket to form discipline.

Like a child introduced to martial arts, it became not only an outlet, but a way of life.

Although deeply religious, cricket to Tendulkar has deeper meaning. Politeness, gamesmanship and self-belief have been instilled in him through his learning.

This adds to his greatness.

If Tendulkar’s retirement is impending, then unfortunately for the travelling Australians, he too, will stand taller than his diminutive height.

He will scrap when he has to. He will dictate when he needs too.

Bowlers will be discouraged when forced out of the attack, only to feel internal anxiety when called back in.

He may not have the support of surrounding players, but will he need to when the gaps in the field widen and boundaries are struck with precision?

So what makes legend? What makes this man hold the aura of billions of country men?

With over 30,000 international runs it should simply stand on this alone.

Though, it’s not a statistic. It’s not his last score. It’s not his first score. Tendulkar is quite simply ‘The special one.’ It is not just the respect he commands, but the respect he outwardly gives.

Tendulkar adds to the myth by remaining coy about retirement plans. He deserves to be inward about such a decision.

From the first day of the first Test, the cricketing public should know by observation. As he walks out to the usual rousing reception, silence only in his head, as he examines his surroundings, with a smile only unique to him.

He hits the first ball square of the wicket, well timed and well placed. As he seemingly makes time stand still, we will know that the last great innings is coming.

We wouldn’t mind altogether if he won another series, would we?