A void called 2-down

November 15, 1989 : For the uninitiated, here are the oft-shared stats on the 'where-were-you-when-Sachin-made-his debut' question:

When 16-year old Sachin Tendulkar faced his first ball in Test cricket from Pakistan's Waqar Younis: 

• The Berlin Wall was still standing
• Saddam and Osama were still US allies 
• Oil was $19 per barrel 
• The Sensex was under 750 points
• Maruti 800 was a bold young challenger to the Ambassador and Fiat
• The internet and mobile phones hadn't come to India, and 
• Doordarshan was the only TV channel.

Eight Indian Prime Ministers and a mountain of mind-boggling statistics later, he will retire as arguably the greatest batsman and unarguably one of the finest gentlemen to ever grace a cricket field.

Yes, there have been people who have thought he left it for too late, but then, let's just say, for once, he showed he too was human, and must have had a goal in his mind which made him play on.
We have also heard him speak of playing as long as he was still enjoying the game.

Late or not, the fact is, that there will be a void in the Indian Test team at the #4 position. Two down, in comes Sachin - this has been the standard template since the last 24 years.
To not see Sachin very soon at all in any form of cricket, is without doubt, going to be tough.

An immortal, by the name of Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar

Dear Sachin, we can only wish you the very best and thank you for all the wonderful memories you have bestowed us with, thanks to your craft, impeccable conduct, genuine humility, and unflinching commitment towards the game.

You will be missed, big time.

Thank you for letting us see you live, exhibiting your skills and your conduct.

Thank you for making us forget all our troubles by the sheer enjoyment and delight you provided with your uninhibited strokeplay.

Thank you for teaching us that good guys can also finish first!

Thanks a lot, and God bless!!!