Sachin Tendulkar retired from international cricket after
playing his 200th and final Test. India went on to win the second and final
Test against the West Indies in Mumbai by innings and 126 runs to win the
series 2-0 and presented Tendulkar with a perfect parting gift. We won’t
generate the kind of crowd again here for a Test match that we witnessed today.
An immortal cricketer who retained his humanity throughout. Sachin Tendulkar
gave an emotional speech after the match ended that had everyone in tears at
the Wankhede Stadium.
“Friends please settle down, I’ll get more emotional.
It’s hard to believe my wonderful journey is coming to an end, my life between
22 yards for 24 years has come to an end. I’ve a list of names to thank. The
first is my father, who passed away in 1999. Without his guidance I wouldn’t be
standing in front of you. He said ‘chase your dreams, don’t give up, the path
will be difficult.’ I miss him today. My mom, I don’t know how she managed a
naughty child like me. She just prayed and prayed from the day I started
playing the game. For four years I stayed with my uncle and aunt when in
school, they treated me like their own son. My eldest brother Nitin doesn’t
like to talk much but he said, whatever you do, I know you will give 100%. My
first cricket bat was presented to me by my sister Savita. She still continues
to fast while I bat. Ajit my brother – we have lived this dream together, he
sacrificed his career for me — he took me to Achrekar sir first. Even last
night he called me to discuss my dismissal. Even when I’m not playing we will
still be discussing technique. If that hadn’t happened, I would have been a
lesser cricketer.
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