There might come many a great batsmen but there will not be another Sachin Tendulkar. Many of his records might someday be broken, seldom will one see anyone play with such dignity, humility and credibility - above all for 24 years. If anyone comes even remotely close to it, he would be a tired man.
An image untarnished by controversy, a career full of records and great memories of vintage cricket - that is Tendulkar's legacy.
The outpouring of emotions at the Wankhede here Saturday was clear to see as Tendulkar bid adieu to the sport he has excelled in for so long. There wasn't a single dry eye in the stadium as the little master gave a heart-warming speech full of emotion to say goodbye.
It did not take long for the pundits to spot a genius in Tendulkar after he made his international debut in a Test match in Karachi Nov 15, 1989. He was 16 then. More than two decades later, he has gone on to become one of the greatest batsman the world will ever see.
Twenty-four years and a day from his debut, the five feet five inch genius has called time on a glittering international career. With 15,921 runs from 200 matches at an average of 53.78, Tendulkar has most batting records under his belt in Tests as also in the 50-over format.
Also Read
He holds the record for the maximum number of appearances and is the highest run-getter and century maker in both versions. He has turned out in six World Cups at a stretch, playing a key role first in finishing runners-up in 2003 and winning the Cup, he so badly wanted to, in 2011
The 'Little Master' turned big to hit 100 centuries -- 51 in Tests and 49 in ODIs -- and also the first man to score a double century in the 50 over format.
Tendulkar has tormented many bowlers and finishing the careers of some, but what he did to one of the best spinners in the world will stay etched in everyone's memory.
Tendulkar took Shane Warne apart in Sharjah and the legendary leg-spinner paid the best compliment when he said he had "nightmares" at the thought of bowling to the genius after his desert onslaught.
The hallmark of Tendulkar's batting has been his ability to improvise and unleash unorthodox shots like the paddle sweep, which helped him to churn out high scores consistently despite wear and tear of the muscles with age and constant pressure cooker situations that mark international cricket.
"It is hard to imagine any player in the history of the game combining classical technique with raw aggression like the little champion does," is how cricketing legend Sunll Gavaskar described Tendulkar.
An abiding image of Tendulkar would be a hundred he scored in the 1999 World Cup match at Bristol. Ramesh Tendulkar, a novelist and professor, who had deeply inculcated in his son the virtues of modesty and humility, died when India were in the midst of the Cup campaign.
Tendulkar flew home to attend his father's last rites, and returned to the tournament, beating the Kenyan bowlers into pulp scoring 140 off 101 balls, and dedicated the innings to his father. On completing the hundred, Tendulkar looked skyward, saying a prayer to his father, and has done likewise after reaching every milestone of his glittering career ever since.
"These were the moments of my career I always cherish. My batting with Sachin in one-day internationals at the top was a huge learning experience," former India captain Sourav Ganguly once said.
But the greatest adulation for the Mumbaikar came from the the legendary Don Bradman -- considered the greatest batsman of all times. Sir Don once asked his wife to take a look at the Indian as he felt Tendulkar played like him. It was Tendulkar's technique, compactness, and shot production that endeared him most to the Aussie, according to Roland Perry, who authored the book 'Don's Best'.
So great was the reverence for this man that everytime he was dismissed, cricket buffs switch off the television sets, taking it for granted that without a major contribution from him India cannot hope to win.
Tendulkar has emerged as one of the greatest icons in the country, having carried the aspirations of more than a billion people for over two decades.
He is adored by fans in every part of the country, sponsors and endorsers were ever willing to bet their last penny on anything he did, and budding players know who to look up to as their role model.
Mentored in his early cricketing days by his elder brother Ajit, Tendulkar later honed his skills under celebrated coach Ramakant Achrekar.
Tendulkar's talent oozed right from his school days, and partnered by his friend Vinod Kambli the duo made the cricketing circles sit up and take notice after an unbroken 664-run stand in a Lord Harris Shield international school game in 1988.
In recognition of the laurels he brought to the country, Tendulkar was nominated to the Rajya Sabha as an eminent personality by then president Pratibha Patil -- the first sports personality to get the honour.
One of his greatest characteristics is the ability to stay away from controversies. With all the success he has achieved, Tendulkar has through his career remained grounded and played the gentleman's game in its true spirit.
(Santosh Rao can be contacted at santosh.rao@ians.in)
