Can't believe life between 22 yards
has come to an end: Sachin Tendulkar
MUMBAI: A teary-eyed Sachin Tendulkar on
Saturday brought the curtains down on his
phenomenal career by giving a heart-
warming speech to thank his family, coaches,
teammates, friends and fans, saying it was
hard to believe that his life between "22
yards in the last 24 years" has come to end.
Trying hard to control his emotions,
Tendulkar had the Wankhede crowd spell-
bound with a thanks-giving speech every
word of which drew applause.
"Friends please settle down, I'll get more
emotional! It's hard to believe my wonderful
journey is coming to an end," Tendulkar said
immediately after his 200th and final Test
which India won by an innings and 126 runs.
Handed the microphone at the end of the
presentation ceremony, the 40-year-old
struggled to keep his composure as he took
out a list of people to thank at the end of a
remarkable journey.
"I have got a list of people to thank because
sometimes I forget," he joked.
"The first is my father (Ramesh Tendulkar),
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," said Tendulkar, who always looked
heavenwards after every big knock in
memory of his father.
Next in the list was his mother Rajni, who
came to watch him for the first time in his
farewell match and the other immediate
family members.
"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," he said.
"My eldest brother Nitin doesn't like to talk
much but he said, 'whatever you do, I know
you will give 100 per cent'. My first cricket
bat was presented to me by my sister Savita.
It was a Kashmir willow. She still continues
to fast while I bat," he said.
"Ajit my brother, we have lived this dream
together. He sacrificed his career for me, he
took me to (Ramakant) 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," he added.
Tendulkar then thanked wife Anjali for being
the best partner that life could have given
him.
"The most beautiful thing happened to me
when I met Anjali in 1990. I know that being
a doctor there was a big career in front of
her. When we had a family, she decided that
I should continue playing and she took care
of the children. Thanks for bearing with me
for all the nonsense I've said. You are the
best partnership that I had in my life,"
Tendulkar said as an emotionally-
overwhelmed Anjali cried in the presentation
area.
Tendulkar's two kids, son Arjun (14) and
daughter Sara (16), were also present at the
ceremony and Tendulkar promised them a
lion's share of his time now as reward for
being patient when he missed their special
days for cricket.
"The two precious diamonds of my life Sara
and Arjun. I've missed out on several
birthdays, holidays, annual days. I know for
14-16 years I've not spent enough time with
you. But I promise you that the next 16 and
the many more after that are yours," he said.
Tendulkar also thanked his in-laws for, most
importantly for letting him marry Anjali! He
also did not forget to thank his friends but
didn't name anyone in particular.
"My in-laws - I've discussed several things
with them. The most important thing they
did was to allow me to marry Anjali. So,
thank you for that," he said, lightening the
heavy atmosphere surrounding his farewell.
"In the last 24 years my friends have made
terrific contributions. They have been with
me while I was stressed. They have been
with me even at 3am when I was injured.
Thanks for being there for me," he said.
Not to forget his first coach Ramakant
Achrekar, who came down to the stadium for
the first time to watch him in action, and the
BCCI for supporting him.
"My career started when I was 11. I was
extremely delighted to see Achrekar sir in
the stands. I used to ride on his scooter and
play two matches a day. Sir took me along to
make sure I played. On a lighter note, Sir
never said 'well played' because he didn't
want me to be complacent. You can push
your luck now, Sir, since I'm not playing
cricket anymore," he joked.
"The BCCI was fantastic from my debut.
Thanks to the selectors. You were right with
me making sure my treatment was taken
care of," Tendulkar said.
Tendulkar also thanked his fellow cricketers
and the support staff, especially the doctors
and trainers.
"Thanks to all the senior cricketers who have
played with me. We see on the screen Rahul
(Dravid), VVS (Laxman), Sourav (Ganguly),
Anil (Kumble) who is not here. All the
coaches," he said.
"I know when MS (Dhoni) presented the
200th Test cap, I had a message to the team -
I said 'we are all so proud to be representing
the nation. I hope to continue to serve the
nation with dignity. I have full faith that you
will serve the country in the right spirit'.
"I will be failing in my duty if I didn't thank
the doctors who have kept me fit. Given the
injuries I have suffered. They have treated
me in odd hours," he said.
"My dear friend the late Mark Mascarenhas. I
miss him. My current management team
WSG, for continuing what Mark has done.
Someone who has worked closely with me for
14 years is my friend Vinay Nayudu," he
added.
"The media has backed me a lot, since my
school days. Even today. Thank you. Thanks
to the photographers for capturing those
moments."
In the end, Tendulkar thanked the millions
of adoring fans by saying that the chants of
'Sachin, Sachin' that resonated in the
stadiums would remain with him till the last
moment of his life.
"I know my speech has become long. I want
to thank people who have flown in from
different parts of the world here. I want to
thank my fans from the bottom of my heart.
'Sachin, Sachin' will reverberate in my ears
till I stop breathing," he said, drawing a
deafening applause from the crowd.
