Why Sachin is (still) Sacred

By Murli

And so, the Sachin Saga continues - warts and all. It's always been that way ever since the God of Indian cricket showed his mortal side. Yes, India won a historic Test - beating England in England after more than 2 decades - but as far as Sachin goes, nothing really has changed.

In his prime, he was guilty of not winning matches for India. Now, he is guilty of not playing to his potential, or, not matching up to the aspirations of his ever demanding fans.

Maybe he is guilty "as charged". Reminds you of another great person, from another era, in another context. "Guilty as charged' was Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi's defence, in a court case where he was charged by the British with inciting the people to work actively against the British Empire.

Coming back to Sachin's guilt, can any player play to his potential and match the aspirations of his fans 24/7/365 for over 2 decades and counting, in any sport? Therein, his defence rests.

Look at it another way, it means if Sachin is guilty, who will cast the first stone? Anyone who has held a bat and ball knows every day is another day, and every match is a new match. All the experience of a player adds up to zero, when the scoreboard is yet to be chalked up in a new game.

The public response to Tendulkar can be summarized as follows:
a)             When he scores a "fast" 100 - "Well, that's what you expect from him. Nice, but did India win or lose the match?
b)            When he scored a "slow" 100 - "ike, OK, but"
c)             When he scores a "fast" 50 - "Fine, but me gets the feeling that he is finding it difficult to stick it out, push for more, he just can't sustain the flow.
d)            When he scores a "slow" 50 - "Oh, he's getting on, it's time to call it a day."
e)             When he fails to score in ONE innings/match - See answer to (d) above.
f)             When he fails to score in TWO innings/games - "Someone puleeze tell him that it's better to retire when people ask why, rather than why not".
g)            When he fails in THREE games - All hell breaks loose in TV channels, and the media goes berserk, yelling for his head.

And what happens, when Sachin responds to all this, with a hundred? The analytical circus continues, the media and the blue billions go on a rewind. Still the "finger of suspicion" is poised on the REVERSE button, ready to strike, when things turn for the worse.

Going by the media bytes, you would imagine Tendulkar is 50 years only and not knocking on the wrong side of 30! True, he has battled injuries all over his body, but he is still eager, keen, able and looking forward to join battle with the best in the business and better the best.