At India’s test series against South Africa the crowd awaited to witness Tendulkar’s 34th test century, who had scored 9470 runs in 114 tests with 33 centuries and who was just one century short of equaling Sunil Gavaskar’s world mark of 34 centuries. But at both the test matches the crowd was disappointed, as Tendulkar could not stand up to their mark. In fact the year 2004 has witnessed a below average performance from the master blaster of Team India, Sachin Tendulkar. Perhaps his left hand tennis elbow injury has proved to be fatal to his sound cricketing career, due to which this 31-year-old cricketer has been out of action since the Asia Cup final in August 2004.
Apart from his last test century and his last one-day international century at Multan and Rawalpindi respectively against Pakistan in March 2004, Tendulkar had spent more than eight months either without scoring a century or without securing a favorable striking rate. Thus it seems that his tennis elbow injury has put him in an helpless situation concerning his cricketing career; and has also raised numerous questions as to whether his cricketing career (which was without a break since his debut, that has fetched him a world record of playing the most number of consecutive tests), does really need a break? However this world record of Sachin of playing the most number of consecutive tests ie.84 tests since his debut has been equaled by Rahul Dravid during the latter’s test match against South Africa.
After Tendulkar’s come back from the two month tennis elbow injury and his poor performances against the South Africans; Tendulkar’s coach, since his school days Ramakant Achrekar (unhappy about his performances) expressed the point of view that Sachin was not in form and was struggling to display his old flourish. According to Achrekar, Tendulkar should stop worrying about his injury and play freely which would be the best way to retain his previous (lost) form - it would be better for him, if he skips tours like Bangladesh and spends much more time in practicing at the nets. This had resulted in queries as to whether Sachin should be considered for the next international series or should be given a long break for recovery. Perhaps the answer to the above queries is quite evident from the fact of Sachin being included in the Indian team for the series against Bangladesh. Atlas, where he scored his much-awaited 34th test century in Dhaka, Bangladesh thus equaling Sunil Gavaskar’s world mark of 34 centuries.
The Indian cricket contingent has a considerable satisfactory batting line-up, considering Virendra Sehwag, Rahul Dravid and V.V.S.Laxman, who have exhibited favorable performances during the year. Right from the Multan test in March 2004, Sehwag has proved to be a dangerous Batsman to bowl to in International cricket. Despite the good batting line-up with the Indian contingent is there a need to include Sachin Tendulkar in Team India, who has just recovered from his injury? Isn’t it fair enough to give a chance to other promising youngsters to gain some experience at the International cricketing scenario, while Tendulkar has a full recovery from his tennis elbow injury? Perhaps it seems that Sachin’s very presence in the Indian team could prove to be vital for the out-of-form Indian batting order. As far as giving a chance to youngsters to gain some experience at the International cricketing scenario is concerned, it seems that watching Tendulkar exhibit some confident stroke play (if he is in a good form), is a good inspiration a youngster can inherit. However considering Sachin’s performance since his debut, there is no doubt to the fact that he is a world class, promising cricketer and can once again emerge back to his master blaster form, within no matter of time.
Since his schooling days the master blaster has scored amazing number of runs, through his heavy bat. His cricketing career started right from the age of eleven when he played competitive cricket in the inter-school Giles Shield tournament, and, in the following year at the age of twelve years he scored his first century in the inter-school Harris Shield tournament. He became the youngest cricketer ever to score a century on his debut in the first class Ranji Trophy Cricket Tournament for Bombay. Another record to his career was to become the youngest to score a century in the Irani Trophy at the age of sixteen. The most memorable moment to his cricketing career was when he played for India in his debut test cricket against Pakistan in Karachi at the tender age of sixteen. Since then Tendulkar has been a promising player. He is the first batsman to have scored 50 hundreds in International cricket. Watching Sachin Tendulkar exhibit some marvelous stroke play is a great inspiration for the aspiring young cricketers. Since he has the perfect timing, stroke play, reflexes and the correct footing. This is quite clear from the fact that he has crossed another milestone in his glittering career by completing 13, 000 runs in One-Day Internationals during the second one-dayer against Pakistan in Rawalpindi on March 16, 2004.
The legendary Sir Donald Bradman recognized Sachin as his modern incarnation, considering him as the World’s Best Batsman. However the master blaster has truly proved to be the World’s Best Batsman by scoring the first century at the World Cup, 1999 after attending his father’s funeral just a few days earlier in Mumbai - dedicating the century to his father. Now at the age of 31 years he has 33 test centuries with a batting average of 56.11 and 37 one-day Internationals centuries in his kitty; with the highest score 186 not out against New Zealand. Perhaps this might be the reason why Shane Warne had nightmares of Sachin running down the wicket and belting Warne back over the head for a six. Through his skill, discipline and mental strength he has not only exhibited dedication, discipline and determination in his stroke play but has also established himself as a renowned medium pace and spin bowler, as well as a good fielder. However many batsmen, see their career graphs declining dramatically after they cross the age of 30. The obvious reasons for the dipping career graph may be due to a decline in the footwork, reflexes and eyesight during this stage. A perfect example is the career graph of Sunil Gavaskar, where in his first 50 tests he scored 20 centuries whereas in his last 75 tests he could score just 14 centuries. But Tendulkar himself is uncertain about his future; and when asked in an interview in 2001, if he had another 10 years to go, he replied: ’’I will try. But you know the idea is to enjoy the game and the years will fly by I am sure.’’
Tendulkar’s cricketing career has witnessed moments of success, moments of victory, pain and agony accompanied with moments of injury - the most prominent injuries being his back injury, toe injury with a hair line fracture and his recent tennis elbow injury. Despite of the injuries Sachin has always emerged back to his master blaster form, and this is what the billions of Indians expect from their Little Champion; particularly during the phase when his heavy bat is unable to score some valuable runs. But at the Bangabandhu Stadium in Dhaka, after a nine-month lay-off due to injury, his heavy bat did score a splendid 34th test century against Bangladesh. And to add some icing on the cake was his fourth double century with a career-best of 248 not out. However Sunil Gavaskar wants him to score at least 50 test centuries. The consistency with which Tendulkar performed at Dhaka leaves no doubt that a major landmark of 35 test centuries - and a world record all his own - should be reached very soon.