Too much fuss over 'Sach' milestone
Sachin eager to score his 100th century in cricket
© AFP
Over the top: Too much fuss over 'Sach' Milestone
"Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar!"
What can one write about the phenomenon that hasn't been written before? Even the average cricket fan can churn out thesis after thesis on the Little Master. It is least surprising then that there is so much hullabaloo over the 100th international century that has eluded Tendulkar for quite a while now. In the meantime, he also completed 15,000 Test runs recently, another highly celebrated achievement. And one can guarantee there are many more to follow. The list is already quite long – most matches, most runs, most centuries, highest ODI score, and so on…
But the question that needs to be answered is whether there is any element of surprise in what Tendulkar has gone on to achieve. After all, he was always destined to be the best player in the world. And for someone who has played almost non-stop cricket for 22 years, it is but obvious that most records would fall in his kitty considering his consistency, may be except scaling the 400 run-mark attained by fellow great Brian Charles Lara. This is no attempt to demean the great man's marvellous achievements, but just an effort to put things into perspective. It is a given that Tendulkar will end up as a highest run getter in both Tests and one-dayers, and it will take something extraordinary to go past his achievements.
Instead of pressurising Tendulkar over the 100th international 100, which in itself is a media creation, fans and followers must enjoy whatever little the Mumbai bomber has left in his tank to offer. He is 38 now, and can't go on for much longer. Also, he is at that stage of his career now where every step he takes could be leading into some landmark or the other. Thus, it is only fair that he be left alone and not burdened with one expectation after the other. If the feats have to come by on the way, they will. And even if he doesn't achieve them, it will not make him a lesser player. His record speaks for itself and he does not have to prove anything to anybody, 100th ton or no ton.
If anything, the bigger challenge for Tendulkar will be to try and help India overcome the Australian challenge Down Under. True, the Aussies may be on the downslide at present, but they remain a formidable opponent nonetheless, especially at home. And given India's pathetic record in Kangaroo land as well as their recent submission in England, Tendulkar and the other senior players have a lot to play for when they take on Australia following the ongoing series against the West Indians. If Tendulkar can help India beat the Aussies, it would mean much more to him and the entire team as well as its well-wishers -- it should ideally. And, if the elusive hundred comes in that cause (if he doesn't achieve it against the Windies), it will serve as the perfect icing on the cake.
Sachin fanatics may hate me for saying this, but wouldn't poetic justice be done if the Mumbai Bomber ends his career with 99 tons to his credit? After all, the legend himself, Sir. Donald George Bradman, fell short of a perfect average of 100, falling for a duck in his last Test knock. And we all know by now that Bradman compared Sachin to himself. Imagine two greats of the game stuck on 99s of different kinds. It would only reiterate that, like the Don, even Sachin is a mortal. And there is some uncanny romance associated with 99 as opposed to a complete 100. People will always remember the fact that Martin Crowe's highest Test score was 299 and Mohammad Azharuddin's was 199. And, who can forget Shane Warne, whose attacking instinct left with a Test best score of 99? These are regretful yet fascinating figures at the same time.
Of course, we would all like Sachin to break many more records in the times to come, and create some new ones. But, even if he doesn't, nothing much will change. The numbers may become slightly less flattering, but the persona will remain unblemished.
By: The Pinch Hitter
Ever since The Pinch Hitter was introduced to cricket at the age of nine, he fell in love with the gentleman's game. While his desire to take up the sport professionally remained unfulfilled, he substituted the bat with the pen. And since 2003, he has been commenting on the sport for various magazines, websites, enjoying every moment of it. With 'Over the top' he hopes to continue enlightening and enlivening 'cricket companions' the write way.
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