Time is very much a part of the fundamental structure of the universe,a sort of a dimension in which events occur in a forward sequence......it has its effect on everything related with the universe,let alone earth...and has takes its toll on everything on the face of our planet,every person....right?well..not quite....seems to have forgotten one man....the most famous indian since Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi....
To see things in a clearer perspective lets go back to 1989...... when sachin made his international debut for india against one of the finest bowling attacks on the planet......Manchester united hadnt won a trophy for 23 years,Michael schumacher was yet to touch an F-1 car,Pete sampras hadnt even won a grand slam yet,Diego maradona was still the captain of a world cup winning argentine national team,Michael jordan had just started as an NBA proffesional,Lance armstrong hadnt even been to tour de france.........and this is just the old generation of sports greatest.....Mordern greats Messi,Cristiano Ronaldo,Rooney were in thier nappies....so was Lewis Hamilton.....Usain bolt had just started walking,Phelps didnt ven know the meaning of the word swimming.....and Roger Federer hadnt even decided between football and tennis.....oh and believe it or not the Soviet union still existed,the Berlin wall was impact,Manmohan singh was yet to introduce the ecnomic reforms....
With his extraordinary performances over the past two decades, not to mention his exemplary conduct off the field, Sachin Tendulkar has proved that it is possible to be a sporting icon without turning into a monster...especially considering the recent events.... In the light of the various indiscretions committed in recent weeks..... by Tiger Woods, John Terry and Ashley Cole, it would be easy to conclude that while power corrupts...... sporting success corrupts absolutely....There are counter Examples of course....Sachin,Federer,Ryan Giggs and a select few.....
And yet, despite spending more than 20 years at the top of his sport...Tendulkar has never become tangled up with an actress or model(like terry,cole, woods) or been accused of giving out pitch and weather information to an illegal bookmaker(like Hansie Cronje and Jadeja).......And thts just it...Everything about Sachin's public persona backs up his squeaky clean image...modest,gracious,diplomatic,non-controversial,sincere.....what more could you possibly want?
And He seems to be doing his Benjamin button impressions now....the last year has been among his most productive and best.....guess the only jewel left in his crown is the world cup...and i doubt whether he will retire before the next one starts....and the stage is set....the tourney is in india....in front of his adoring supporters....and the thing is above anyhting else he deserves it and everybody knows that.....The whole Indian team owes him this.....atleast till then he's going to carry on his journey ....one of joy and purity....
loved this post! you've hit the nail on the head..sachin is one among the elite few whom power and fame just cannot corrupt..he's so much more than a true sportsman and selfless hero.. and yes, he will definitely play in the next world cup.. For one's passion, age no bar..
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