47 years ago, the world did not know that a cricketing genius had arrived.
Of course, superpowers aside, one cannot tell or predict a person's fate or life's trajectory right at the time of birth.
I suspect that would've been the case 47 years ago too.
Not even in the case of the one who, as is widely said, was born to bat!
No one could have predicted that April 24, 1973 heralded the arrival of someone who would go on to change the course of batting forever, besides being counted in the pantheon of the greatest-ever batsmen.
No one had known then, that the world of cricket had been blessed with Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar.
Sample these stats:
(Each stat/record stands head and shoulders above anyone else as of today, even 6 years after his retirement):
Most number of international matches by anyone ever.
Most number of international runs.
Most number of international 100s.
Most number of international 50s.
Most number of man-of-the-match awards.
Most number of man-of-the-series awards.
Most number of 90s.
Most number of 4s (boundaries) hit.
Of course, these records are at the world-level and in terms of all-time-records. Not just through the last year or any particular span, but across every era.
Every record is about most number of ____: EVER.
In other words, Sachin is simply, THE GREATEST EVER.
Not that he needed stats to prove anything, but they themselves state this fact rather indisputably, I'd say.
Well, that sure is enough reason for people to be in awe of his precocious talent, and try to emulate and play like him. Okay, atleast be inspired and try to play somewhere around something like him.
But honestly, as pride-worthy as his achievements are, there is something even better, even greater than his superhuman feats.
It's how he is - not just as a player but even more so, as a person.
It's his balance and execution.
Not just in the field, while batting but even off-field, in how he has conducted himself even more admirably.
His (mental) balance and execution (of his behaviour) in staying sane, grounded, motivated, sincere despite all the superstardom, god-like status, temptations and accolades everyday from everyone have been exemplary.
Sachin is the name of someone who bridged the gap between goodness and greatness with consummate ease. The living embodiment of an all-time great sporting superstar who never stopped being someone you wanted your kids to be like.
Sachin's talent and ability to break in at the highest level when all of 16 and succeed to be the best made people admire and emulate him.
But his impeccable conduct and role-model behavior, with not even a tinge of rashness and brashness, with nothing out of place, made people love, adore and respect him.
As someone (among just a few billion others) who has grown up learning and being wowed by not just about his batting but about life, rectitude and propriety from Sachin, wish you many happy returns of the day, superstar!
Thankyou for making us find light in our lives and for cheering us on to not only take on the world's best but also be (and stay being) the world's best. While also being the best-behaved all the time. Think of superstars who can qualify on all these aspects from any field ever and you will not need to go beyond your fingertips.
May God bless you and your every wish Sachin!
Stay happy, stay blessed, and thanks beyond words for everything you have been and meant to us!
Of course, superpowers aside, one cannot tell or predict a person's fate or life's trajectory right at the time of birth.
I suspect that would've been the case 47 years ago too.
Not even in the case of the one who, as is widely said, was born to bat!
No one could have predicted that April 24, 1973 heralded the arrival of someone who would go on to change the course of batting forever, besides being counted in the pantheon of the greatest-ever batsmen.
No one had known then, that the world of cricket had been blessed with Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar.
Sample these stats:
(Each stat/record stands head and shoulders above anyone else as of today, even 6 years after his retirement):
Most number of international matches by anyone ever.
Most number of international runs.
Most number of international 100s.
Most number of international 50s.
Most number of man-of-the-match awards.
Most number of man-of-the-series awards.
Most number of 90s.
Most number of 4s (boundaries) hit.
Of course, these records are at the world-level and in terms of all-time-records. Not just through the last year or any particular span, but across every era.
Every record is about most number of ____: EVER.
In other words, Sachin is simply, THE GREATEST EVER.
Not that he needed stats to prove anything, but they themselves state this fact rather indisputably, I'd say.
Well, that sure is enough reason for people to be in awe of his precocious talent, and try to emulate and play like him. Okay, atleast be inspired and try to play somewhere around something like him.
But honestly, as pride-worthy as his achievements are, there is something even better, even greater than his superhuman feats.
It's how he is - not just as a player but even more so, as a person.
It's his balance and execution.
Not just in the field, while batting but even off-field, in how he has conducted himself even more admirably.
His (mental) balance and execution (of his behaviour) in staying sane, grounded, motivated, sincere despite all the superstardom, god-like status, temptations and accolades everyday from everyone have been exemplary.
Sachin is the name of someone who bridged the gap between goodness and greatness with consummate ease. The living embodiment of an all-time great sporting superstar who never stopped being someone you wanted your kids to be like.
Sachin's talent and ability to break in at the highest level when all of 16 and succeed to be the best made people admire and emulate him.
But his impeccable conduct and role-model behavior, with not even a tinge of rashness and brashness, with nothing out of place, made people love, adore and respect him.
As someone (among just a few billion others) who has grown up learning and being wowed by not just about his batting but about life, rectitude and propriety from Sachin, wish you many happy returns of the day, superstar!
Thankyou for making us find light in our lives and for cheering us on to not only take on the world's best but also be (and stay being) the world's best. While also being the best-behaved all the time. Think of superstars who can qualify on all these aspects from any field ever and you will not need to go beyond your fingertips.
May God bless you and your every wish Sachin!
Stay happy, stay blessed, and thanks beyond words for everything you have been and meant to us!
