The curtain came down on Sachin Tendulkar's storied Test
Sachin
Tendulkar scored 74 in what will likely be his final Test innings to
help India into - See more at:
http://www.cricketworld.com/tendulkar-hits-74-pujara-sharma-score-tons/35824.htm#sthash.jhUoBwFe.dpuf
as West
Indies crumbled on the third morning in Mumbai. Sachin hit 74 runs smashing 12 boundaries which helped India to win the test.Tendulkar walked off the
field with a tear in his eye and to a fluid guard of honour from his
team-mates, soaking in the cheers of the Wankhede crowd one last time.
Sachin
Tendulkar scored 74 in what will likely be his final Test innings to
help India into - See more at:
http://www.cricketworld.com/tendulkar-hits-74-pujara-sharma-score-tons/35824.htm#sthash.jhUoBwFe.dpuf
Sachin
Tendulkar scored 74 in what will likely be his final Test innings to
help India into - See more at:
http://www.cricketworld.com/tendulkar-hits-74-pujara-sharma-score-tons/35824.htm#sthash.jhUoBwFe.dpuf
Sachin's emotional speech:
All my friends. Settle down let me
talk, I will get more and more emotional (crowd gets louder and louder as he
composes himself). My life, between 22 yards for 24 years, it is hard to
believe that that wonderful journey has come to an end, but I would like to
take this opportunity to thank people who have played an important role in my
life. Also, for the first time in my life I am carrying this list, to remember
all the names in case I forget someone. I hope you understand. It's getting a
little bit difficult to talk but I will manage.
The most important person in my
life, and I have missed him a lot since 1999 when he passed away, my father.
Without his guidance, I don't think I would have been standing here in front of
you. He gave me freedom at the age of 11, and told me that [I should] chase my
dreams, but make sure you do not find short cuts. The path might be difficult,
but don't give up, and I have simply followed his instructions. Above all, he
told me to be a nice human being, which I will continue to do and try my best.
Every time I have done something special [and] showed my bat, it was [for] my
father.
My mother, I don't know how she
dealt with such a naughty child like me. I was not easy to manage. She must be
extremely patient. For a mother, the most important thing is that her child
remains safe and healthy and fit. That was what she was most bothered and
worried about. She took care of me for the last 24 years that I have played for
India, but even before that she started praying for me the day I started
playing cricket. She just prayed and prayed and I think her prayers and blessings have given me the strength to go out and perform, so a big thank
you to my mother for all the sacrifices.
In my school days, for four years, I stayed with my
uncle and aunt because my school was quite far from my home, and they treated
me like their son. My aunt, after having had a hard day's play, I would be half
asleep and she would be feeding me food so I could go again and play tomorrow.
I can't forget these moments. I am like their son and I am glad it has
continued to be the same way.
My eldest brother, Nitin, and his
family, have always encouraged me. My eldest brother doesn't like to talk much,
but the one thing he always told me is that whatever you do, I know you will
always give it 100%, and that I have full faith and confidence in you. His
encouragement meant a lot to me. My sister, Savita, and her family, was no
different. The first cricket bat of my life was presented to me by my sister.
It was a Kashmir willow bat. But that is where the journey began. She is one of
those many who still continue to fast when I bat, so thank you very much.
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Ajit, my brother, now what do I talk
about him? I don't know. We have lived this dream together. He was the one who
sacrificed his career for my cricket. He spotted the spark in me. And it all
started from the age of 11 when he took me to Archrekar sir, my coach, and from
there on my life changed. You will find this hard to believe but even last
night he called to discuss my dismissal, knowing that there was a remote chance
of batting again, but just the habit we have developed, the rapport we have
developed, since my birth, has continued and it will continue. Maybe when I'm
not playing cricket we will still be discussing technique.
Various things we agreed upon, my
technique, and so many technical things which I didn't agree with him, we have
had arguments and disagreements, but when I look back at all these things in my
life, I would have been a lesser cricketer.
The most beautiful thing happened to
me in 1990 when I met my wife, Anjali. Those were special years and it has
continued and will always continue that way. I know Anjali, being a doctor;
there was a wonderful career in front of her. When we decided to have a family,
Anjali took the initiative to step back and say that 'you continue with your
cricket and I will take the responsibility of the family'.
Without that, I don't think I would
have been able to play cricket freely and without stress. Thanks for bearing
with all my fuss and all my frustrations, and all sorts of rubbish that I have
spoken. Thanks for bearing with me and always staying by my side through all
the ups and downs. You are the best partnership I've had in my life.
Then, the two precious diamonds of
my life, Sara and Arjun. They have already grown up. My daughter is 16, my son
is 14. Time has flown by. I wanted to spend so much time with them on special
occasions like their birthdays, their annual days, their sports day, going on
holidays, whatever. I have missed out on all those things. Thanks for your
understanding. Both of you have been so, so special to me you cannot imagine. I
promise you [that] for 14 and 16 years I have not spent enough time with both
of you, but the next 16 years or even beyond that, everything is for you.
My in-laws, Anand Mehta and
Annabelle, both have been so, so supportive [and] loving and caring. I have
discussed on various things in life, generally with them, and have taken their
advice. You know, it's so important to have a strong family who is always with
you and who are guiding you. Before you start clapping, the most important
thing they did was allowing me to marry Anjali, so thank you very much.
In the last 24 years that I have
played for India I have made new friends, and before that I have had friends
from my childhood. They have all had a terrific contribution. As and when I
have called them to come and bowl to me at the nets, they have left their work
aside to come and help me. Be it joining me on holidays and having discussions with
me on cricket, or how I was a little stressed and wanting to find a solution so
I can perform better.
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All those moments my friends were
with me. Even for when I was injured, I would wake up in the morning because I
couldn't sleep and thought that my career was over because of injuries, that is
when my friends have woken up at 3 o'clock in the morning to drive with me and
make me believe that my career was not over. Life would be incomplete without
all those friends. Thanks for being there for me.
My cricket career started when I was
11. The turning point of my career was when my brother (Ajit) took me to
Achrekar sir. I was extremely delighted to see him up in the stands. Normally
he sits in front of the television and he watches all the games that I play.
When I was 11/12, those were the days when I used to hop back on his scooter
and play a couple of practice matches a day. The first half the innings I would
be batting at Shivaji Park, the second half, at some other match in Azad
Maidan. He would take me all over Mumbai to make sure I got match practice.
On a lighter note, in the last 29
years, sir has never ever said 'well played' to me because he thought I would
get complacent and I would stop working hard. Maybe he can push his luck and
wish me now, well done on my career, because there are no more matches, sir, in
my life. I will be witnessing cricket, and cricket will always stay in my
heart, but you have had an immense contribution in my life, so thank you very
much.
My cricket for Mumbai started right
here on this ground, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), which is so dear to
me. I remember landing from New Zealand at four o'clock in the morning, and
turning up for a game here at eight o'clock just because I wanted to be a part
of Mumbai cricket, and not that somebody forced me. That was for the love of
Mumbai cricket, and thank you very much. The president is here so thank you
very much, along with your team, for taking care of me and looking after my
cricket.
The dream was obviously to play for
India, and that is where my association with BCCI started. BCCI was fantastic,
right from my debut they believed in my ability and selecting me into the squad
at the age of 16 was a big step, so thanks to all the selectors for having
faith in me and the BCCI for giving me the freedom to express myself out in the
middle. Things would have been different if you had not been behind me, and I
really appreciate your support. Especially when I was injured, you were right
with me and making sure that all the treatments were taken care of, and that I
got fit and fine and playing [right] back for India.
The journey has been special, the
last 24 years, I have played with many senior cricketers, and even before that
there were many senior cricketers with whom I watched on television. They
inspired me to play cricket, and to play in the right way. Thanks to all those
senior cricketers, and unfortunately I have not been able to play with them,
but I have high regards for all their achievements and all their contributions.
We see it on the mega-screen, Rahul,
Laxman, Sourav, and Anil, who is not here, and my team-mates right here in
front me. You are like my family away from home. I have had some wonderful
times with you. It is going to be difficult to not be part of the dressing
room, sharing those special moments. All the coaches for their guidance, it has
been special for me. I know when MS Dhoni presented me the 200th Test match cap
on day one morning. I had a brief message for the team. I would like to repeat
that. I just feel that all of us are so, so fortunate and proud to be part of
the Indian cricket team and serving the nation.
Knowing all of you guys, I know you
will continue to serve the nation in the right spirit and right values. I
believe we have been the lucky ones to be chosen by the Almighty to serve this
sport. Each generation gets this opportunity to take care of this sport and
serve it to the best of our ability. I have full faith in you to continue to
serve the nation in the right spirit and to the best of your ability, to bring
all the laurels to the country. All the very best.
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I would be failing in my duties if I
did not thank all the doctors, the physios, the trainers, who have put this
difficult body together to go back on the field and be able to play. The amount
of injuries that I have had in my career, I don't know how you have managed to
keep me fit, but without your special efforts, it would never have happened.
The doctors have met me at weird hours. I mean I have called them from Mumbai
to Chennai, Mumbai to Delhi, I mean wherever. They have just taken the next
flight and left their work and families to be with me, which has allowed me to
play. So a big thank you to all three of you for keeping me in good shape.
My dear friend, late Mark
Mascarenhas, my first manager. We unfortunately lost him in a car accident in
2001, but he was such a well-wisher of cricket, my cricket, and especially
Indian cricket. He was so passionate. He understood what it takes to represent
a nation and gave me all the space to go out and express myself, and never
pressurized me to do this ad or promotion or whatever the sponsors demanded. He
took care of that and today I miss him, so thank you Mark for all your
contribution.
My current management team, WSG, for
repeating what Mark has done, because when I signed the contract I exactly told
them what I want from them, and what it requires to represent me. They have
done that and respected that.
Someone who has worked closely with
me for 14 years is my manager, Vinod Nayudu. He is more like my family and all
the sacrifices, spending time away from his family for my work, has been
special, so big thank you to his family as well for giving up so much time for
my work with Vinod.
In my school days, when I performed
well, the media backed me a lot. They continue to do that till this morning.
Thank you so much to the media for supporting and appreciating my performances.
It surely had a positive effect on me. Thank you so much to all the
photographers as well for those wonderfully captured moments that will stay
with me for the rest of my life, so a big thank you to all the photographers.
I know my speech is getting a bit
too long (crowd roars), but this is the last thing I want to say. I want to
thank all the people here who have flown in from various parts of the world,
and have supported me endlessly, whether I scored a 0 or a 100-plus. Your
support was so dear to me and meant a lot to me. Whatever you have done for me.
I know I have met so many guys who
have fasted for me, prayed for me, done so much for me. Without that life
wouldn't have been like this for me. I want to thank you from the bottom of my
heart, and also say that time has flown by rather quickly, but the memories you
have left with me will always be with me forever and ever, especially
"Sachin, Sachin" which will reverberate in my ears till I stop
breathing. Thank you very much. If I have missed out on saying something, I
hope you understand. Goodbye.
