15 years ago, the entire nation was in raptures, celebrating two back-to-back masterpieces, by the one and only Little Master.
15 years ago, the indomitable Aussies, comprising the likes of Steve Waugh, Michael Kasprowicz, and Shane Warne, had been tamed into submission.
Celebrating his 25th birthday that day in the course of his second knock, Sachin tore into the bowlers and mesmerized cricket lovers one more time - not for the first time, nor for the last time either (thankfully).
15 years later, we have news of him not really being in the zone these days, in the IPL, and even in the series against England and Australia, in the last few months.
Yes, he has been dormant and not at his best.
Yes, he has been getting out too soon (considering the guy's sheer class and pedigree), too often.
However, if I may, allow me to say without any bias towards him, that it would be very very naive to jettison such a once-in-a-lifetime cricketer, at this juncture.
15 years later, as the chorus for Sachin not being the same batsman grows, we continue expecting him to simply ravish bowling attacks black and blue the same way he did, back then.
As an avid cricket follower, I would humbly like to state that it's time we just let him be.
It's time we let him enjoy and play the way he deems best.
He knows better than anyone else, what his game is, how best he can contribute (and he sure can guide and contribute to the team, in Tests, for at least a couple more years).
Let us just wish the batsman many years of health and happiness, as he has turned 40, and hope he bows out on a high, in a couple of years from now, if not later.
Happy Birthday Sachin!!
15 years ago, the indomitable Aussies, comprising the likes of Steve Waugh, Michael Kasprowicz, and Shane Warne, had been tamed into submission.
Celebrating his 25th birthday that day in the course of his second knock, Sachin tore into the bowlers and mesmerized cricket lovers one more time - not for the first time, nor for the last time either (thankfully).
15 years later, we have news of him not really being in the zone these days, in the IPL, and even in the series against England and Australia, in the last few months.
Yes, he has been dormant and not at his best.
Yes, he has been getting out too soon (considering the guy's sheer class and pedigree), too often.
However, if I may, allow me to say without any bias towards him, that it would be very very naive to jettison such a once-in-a-lifetime cricketer, at this juncture.
15 years later, as the chorus for Sachin not being the same batsman grows, we continue expecting him to simply ravish bowling attacks black and blue the same way he did, back then.
As an avid cricket follower, I would humbly like to state that it's time we just let him be.
It's time we let him enjoy and play the way he deems best.
He knows better than anyone else, what his game is, how best he can contribute (and he sure can guide and contribute to the team, in Tests, for at least a couple more years).
Let us just wish the batsman many years of health and happiness, as he has turned 40, and hope he bows out on a high, in a couple of years from now, if not later.
Happy Birthday Sachin!!
