The last time SACHIN TENDULKAR played in his backyard at the WANKHANDE STADIUM, he realized his childhood dream of being a part of INDIA’S winning team. On that memorable evening in APRIL this year Tendulkar achieved his crowning glory moment in all illustrious career spanning an amazing 22 years. As a fitting tribute towards his invaluable contributions to India cricket as much as to their own growth under his elderly advice, the INDIAN TEAM carried the legend on their shoulders as they did a lap of honour around the stadium.
Now as the cricketing sage makes another pilgrimage to the WANKHANDE the nation, if not the world, will again holds its breath as it yearns to see TENDULKAR complete a perfect century by adding one more precious gem to his necklace of hundreds..
Batting brilliantly since his 91 at the OVAL TEST in ENGLAND to his 76 at KOTLA and the 38 at the EDEN in the last two tests against the WI, the LITTLE MASTERO himself is a bit surprised to know how the magic figure of 100 has become an obsession for over a billion people. But then millions of adorning fans have been spoilt by the man himself. The country has sought joy and relief by savoring his wealth of accommodations for over two decades. And the genius of TENDULKAR has delivered all along his wonderful journey as a matter of routine.
Not surprisingly then, a century drought-if one may call it-in the last 15 innings since March this year has been weighing on everyone’s mind. Already in the series, he has been stop in his stride twice by an overwhelmed DEVENDRA BISHOO. So he would rather get the monkey off his back and let his fans find another reason to celebrate.
While his stroke play has been impeccably pleasing, it is perhaps the eagerness that seems to be getting in the way. Just like when he tried to pull BISHOO past mind-on but ended holding out to the fielder at the mid-wicket in KOLKATA.
The homely feeling at the WANKHANDE, backed by the home crowd, should act as a catalyst for TENDULKAR to attain the peak of 100s. For the record, the Mumbai master has scored only one test hundred at this ground against SRI LANKA in December 1997.
It’s indeed been a long time and the setting seems just perfect in the wintry climes of his home city. So, just when the breeze from the Arabian Sea will push the bowlers to deliver their best, it will also make TENDULKAR produced those punched drives in quest of another cricketing glory.
And just as his son ARJUN once advised him to play the big shots to get rid of the nervous nineties, it wouldn’t be a bad idea for TENDULKAR to return to his attacking ways of the past that made the crowds scream S-a-a-c-h-i-n, S-a-a-c-h-i-n…..Come Tuesday and you could be sure of that chant engulfing the Wankhande when the batting legend goes to bat.
BEST OF LUCK SACHIN……….BEST OF WISHES TEAM INDIA………………
