’’CRICKET IS OUR RELIGION AND SACHIN IS OUR GOD’’. Well this is what many a banner reads in a match played by India..The banner is raised high as the crowd cheers every single run of the master batsman in Sachin Tendulkar. He is a true lifetime hero.He is the best in the business. And probably he has the highest fan following for a cricketer. He has redefined the meaning of batting and off course given a new dimension to Indian Cricket.
It is a great honour to review such a class act.
Having immense physical skills, great attitude, defining temperment and a litany of statistics he unquestionably the most popular contemporary cricketer.He has crossed many a milestone and broken many a record.He simply personifies Indian Cricket.
As a great batsman, Tendulkar has the ability to tear any attack apart.He can strike form at any time and can play any type of Innings.You want him to smash the ball all round the park or you want him to play a patient innings for building up a good total, he does both the job with aplomb.Take a look at his ODI record. Scoring over 11, 000 runs with an average of 45.42 and 33 hundreds and 56 fifties. Still he has a good 7-8 years of cricket in him.No wonder if he reaches 20, 000 runs at the end of his career. Some of his special shots are the short arm pull, the powerful square cut, his leg-drive and the paddle sweep.He is a treat to watch when he steps out for the spinners and lofts them over their heads.
I just cant forget the shots he played of Shane Warne.He is a nightmare for any bowler.In Test Matches too he hasnt achieved less. 29 centuries equalling the Don, 32 fifties at an average of 42.43 and above 8, 000 runs to boost.Just have a look at the conversion rate. He scores a century every second time he scores a 50. That is simply awesome.
He also chances his arm around as a mixie-bowler...A bowler who can bowl a googly, leg-spin, wrong-un, off-spin and what not.He can spin the ball big and at times provides crucial breakthroughs.
This sometimes changes the outcome of the match and that goes to show how valuable he is.
He is as committed as a fielder as he is as a batsman.Can anyone point out a mis-field or a dropped catch by Sachin?Definitely not.He is simply electrifying on the field and has many a time hit direct throws from the outfield itself.
On the whole, Sachin is a perfect cricketer.He has the gentleness of a gentleman and also the power of a bull.He is the silent killer and the master blaster.
One Lurching question:Why cant Sachin make those big double hundreds or bat for even longer than he usually does?
Well that is because he uses a very heavy bat and that makes him tired all the more sooner.More so he strains his fore arm so much because of which he simply becomes helpless.But Tendulkar is an entertainer.A quick fifty would fill our hearts rather than a boring double century.
As a final note I would like to add that Sachin is my hero and for a million other people.There is not a single batsman who can match his flair and magic.
No wonder, after Sachin made his presence felt, the people in India, have started following cricket as their religion and worshipping Sachin as God.
LONG LIVE SACHIN!!!!!