Related Links : Sachin Tendulkar : India in South Africa 2006-07
The master walked out very well knowing that he had a very big job to do. The stage was set. The resolve of the little big man was clear. A solid defence of the first ball, and a well judged leave of the second. The signs of the Tendulkar big one were glowing bright in the fading light of the Durban sky. As a new day dawned, there were signs of the same in the first few balls. But it simply was not to be. The story of the second innings of Tendulkar was, in short, his story of the year gone by. There were ominous flashes, but the light of India’s brightest star was eclipsed in the year 2006, and the great man will be the first to admit it.
For a man who is considered among the legends of the game, the year 2006 will not be remembered for the right reasons. For a man who loves the game like no other, sitting on the sidelines for his time to come must have been one of his most painful experiences for the master. For a man to whom the nation turns to for the magical spark, mediocrity is simply not acceptable. But he will be the first person to admit that not just by the lofty standards that he sets for himself, but even by anybody’s standards the year gone by was a year to be forgotten. Now, Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar would be relieved that the New Year has finally dawned upon him. That he can get back to doing what he does best, win matches for India. That he can make a new beginning. That he can bring back hope to a nation who needs it desperately with the World Cup looming large. That he can fire one final salvo and cement his place alongside the Don.
Yes, Ricky Ponting has been undisputedly the batsman of the year 2006. It is agreed that Mohommad Yousuf has shown that he belongs among the big boys. Brian Charles Lara has declared that he will continue to pile up the runs till 40, and he showed no signs of stopping. And Rahul Dravid was his usual self, always reliable. And the citizens of the world conveniently forgot about a certain Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar, who was waiting on the sidelines, fuming impatiently to go out there and make his statement. His brief time came but his statement did not, not in 2006, at least. Now he hopefully has his injuries set aside. And maybe the fact that the spotlight is temporarily off him because of the return of Ganguly and the emergence of India’s young guns might just be what the doctor ordered for him. He will be looking to claw his way back to the top of Everest, a very familiar place for him.
But now of course, history demands certain answers. Is he actually deserving of the comments made by the Don? Does he still deserve the title of being the premier batsman of his generation? Is he still just as good as he used to be? The year gone by has been one of pain. The New Year is one which throws up many challenges. Yes he is down, but not out. Not yet at least. In his quest for excellence, there have been challenges and there have been questions, but he has survived them all has still remained standing after 17 years of many a long arduous battle. But this is probably going to be his toughest test to date. His body is battle scarred. But the will to succeed is still in place. His reflexes are not as fast as they used to be. But the enthusiasm is still present. He might not be single handedly winning matches for India as he used to, but he still is central to India’s hopes. He might not be the most feared batsman in the world today, but he is still respected like no other.
But now of course, the Caribbean awaits. And I assure you that the world’s best batsman will be up for it. To keep his date with destiny. And to keep his promise with a billion people. The Durban innings was just a reminder for those of you who forgot. The master is still around and is hungrier than ever. He will come out firing on all cylinders in 2007. Don’t dare write him off. The season of Tendulkar is not over yet. The party is about to begin. Again.