Choose your title

I asked my friend to give the title for the post and this is what he has provided. He is the ardent fan whom i have mentioned in the post.You can choose the one you like as i found it too difficult to choose one myself ;)
Thanks Babu.

1)The run machine that never depreciates…
2)21 Years, 93 Centuries, 31045 runs, ONE Man…!
3)Tendulkar – Passion and Perfection personified…
4)The 36-Year old youngster
5)No wonder Bradman saw himself in Sachin…
6)The Maverick who never ceases to amaze…

November 9 2009, Deccan, Hyderabad; Australia had put 350/4 on the board in 50 over’s. Out came Sachin and Sehwag to chase the huge score in a pitch that was a batting beauty. They reached the first fifty in blistering pace and when it was just before the ninth over could be completed Sehwag departed when the score card read 66. sachin who was playing the second fiddle so far stepped up to take the centre stage and what followed was a match winning innings which was not to be due to some pathetic cricket from his team mates. Then he had a chance to reach the magical figures of 200 and I was keeping my fingers crossed just like anyone who was following the match. I even messaged my friend who is an ardent fan of the little master that this is going to be his only chance to claim the highest score in ODI and a double hundred. And against the worlds best team would be another reason to be proud of. But it ended up as a far cry as Mckay claimed his wicket with a slower one, caught by Hauritz at short fine leg when he went for his poodle swoop. It was an innings of a lifetime and I thought he might not get another opportunity to get hold of that coveted record of highest one day score that he deserves to have against his name.Now when i look back i realize how wrong a judgment it was.Champions don't wait for the opportunity, they just make it.

Three months hence it was a different opponent, a much better bowling attack indeed, a different venue and a different situation. He walked with his same old partner who departed with just 25 on board. This time around he was on the front foot on the attacking mode, his runs never coming down the number of balls faced. Shots bludgeoned, flicks clicked, drives caressed he was in his elements finding the boundary almost in all the overs. Bowlers toiled but were shown no mercy; they were literally taken to the cleaners, even the good deliveries were shown the ropes. As he went past 150 everyone’s eyes set the chances on his career best which was 186. when he crossed that landmark the heart started pounding heavily wanting him to beat the highest score of 194 in ODI and when that was achieved everyone wanted nothing short of the 200 and the little master obliged. He reached the magical figure of 200 in the last over of the innings with a single and thanked the heavens which he always does reaching the three figure mark. It was like a fitting script to have no other than his captain at the other end of the pitch to congratulate him. What an achievement this one is. As sanjay manjrekar rightly put it, no one else deserved it more.


Now he has shown the way that many might follow but then we only remember Neil Armstrong of the very few who landed in the moon. He has shown that 200 is achievable but anyone who intends to take the route need to understand that it demands determination, allegiance and commitment of the highest order that this champ demonstrated all his career. Even the worst of critics who would have shoveled undeserving criticism all his life will consider this as a moment of pride. All the comparisons of this magician whose wand is the bat, with his contemporaries should be a matter of the past from here on as he has ventured into a unique kingdom where no one dares to step in.

The final gesture at the presentation ceremony to dedicate his efforts to the people of India shows the humility in him revealing the humble nature of this man. Twenty long years of carrying the expectation of an entire nation in an insouciant manner this genius has brought moments of joy in millions of lives all around the globe. His love for the game is unfathomable for that’s what in my conviction keeps him go on and on. The only record that eludes him at this point in time is highest score in test cricket and I wish him like most of his fervent fans break that record too. Lara, your record holds for some more time until the little champ gets over it ;)

Sachin, thanks for twenty years of good solid cricket. Go on and on and on.