Being Sachin Tendulkar

Fifteen months ago, post Sachin Tendulkar's epic 200* against South Africa at Gwalior, I wrote an article on how Sachin Tendulkar could be an underdog for the expectations the 1 billion people have from him. Fifteen months hence, after he has accomplished bigger tasks in international cricket, 50 test match centuries, 99 international centuries, World Cup winners' medal, brownwash of the Australians; he still must bow down to the infinite expectations of his fans (and detractors). People call him 'God'. I must know, could even the 'almighty God' live up to the expectations we have from him? 
Everything Tendulkar does, he faces criticism. Scores two hundreds against England & South Africa in the World Cup, India fails to win either of the two matches. Resultant verdict: If Sachin Tendulkar scores a hundred, India won't win the match. How much more hurtful could a comment get? 20+ years of serving the team, 30000+ international runs add 200 odd catches 199 wickets. Young turn Virat Kohli summed up Tendulkar's contribution of Indian cricket after the World Cup final win "Tendulkar has carried the burden of the nation for 21 years. It was time we carried him." How many of us disagree with him? I for one, can't. Undeniably, Tendulkar has carried India through even its worst phases. The reason for his stardom is his superhero like, lone warrior like image that has captivated the fans. We (some of us) blame him for only aiming for personal milestones and not team/national glory. Milestones are important in one's career. But is that alone sufficient as a motivational factor to prolong a career for over 20 years? Don't think so. It's passion, love for the game (and all that jazz) which makes him the powerful figure that he is today in international cricket and world of sports. 

How much more should he prove on field? He has maintained a spotless image in public glare over 20 years. Now, the media and us fans look for the first opportunity to put his image at test. He has been blamed of choosing IPL over WI tour for he decided to skip the latter to get some rest before the gruelling tour of England. He has been accused of trying to evade taxes. Media reports he claimed he is an actor, not cricketer to get a tax break of Rs 2 crore. Now, my question. How abnormal is it for someone to try and evade taxes? Why make a mountain out of a mole hill? We (fans) titled him 'God'. There were no such 'self proclamations' by the humble man. Why is it so tough for us to digest Sachin Tendulkar, at the end of the day is a human. Not at any point in this article have I said Tendulkar shouldn't be criticized. All I say is, he deserves a little more respect than what is meted out to him by his own fans (us).

Indian Premier League 2011: Almost Glad It's Over

Fourth edition of Indian Premier League has been surely the most dullest of all 4 yet. The 2011 edition had two new team participating which understandably resulted in an increase in the number of matches played. Though 4 best teams in the competition made it to the play offs, there was monotony, boredom and lack of interest in the middle and latter stages of the competition. After the World Cup win, even the appetite for cricket of the insatiable Indian cricket fan was whetted. The 51 day IPL extravaganza was just saturation Indian fans hadn't experienced before.

Chennai Super Kings retained the trophy after clinical performance against the Royal Challengers Bangalore and rampaging Chris Gayle. Mumbai Indians, after dominating the initial leg of the competition lost their win with a string of losses, yet made it to the play offs. Kolkata Knight Riders, under new leadership of Gautam Gambhir and a good all round team made their first play off in IPL history. Some exhilarating individual performances were witnessed, some exciting new talents were unearthed, some old war horses continued to prove their immense worth, some talented players flopped and some teams came a cropper in a tough competition.

Rahul Sharma surely has been the find of the season. The leg spinner earned repute for his probing line and length and excellent variation very crucial in the T20 format. Iqbal Abdulla, Paul Valthaty, Ashok Menaria, Sreenath Aravind were other domestic talents who made a name for themselves this season. Ravichandra Ashwin, Manoj Tiwary, Ambati Rayudu, Vinay Kumar, Parthiv Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Ishant Sharma, Rohit Sharma presented case for themselves for selection with good performances.
Chris Gayle, James Hopes, Micheal Hussey, Jacques Kallis, Doug Bollinger, Lasith Malinga, Adam Gilchrist were surely the best overseas players in the tournament. Their presence in the team made enormous difference to the team's fortunes. A special mention here for Chris Gayle who well and truly changed Royal Challengers Bangalore's fortune with his mighty hitting and calm demeanor. Every time he came on to bat, he lit the stage alight. He missed out in the all important finals but had done enough to instill fear in every bowlers minds.

Indian World Cup heroes Tendulkar, Dhoni, Sehwag, Gambhir, Raina, Harbhajan, Munaf, Yusuf Pathan, Kohli were all backbone of their respective teams. Their presence boosted the team's morale as well as saleability of the team to the fans. Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings benefitted from having more than one member of the World Cup winning Indian team in the squad. Kings XI Punjab & Rajasthan Royals in a way suffered by not having Indian stars or the local flavour in their teams. Kochi Tuskers Kerala had son of the soil, Sreesanth in their team who made up for the lack of other big Indian stars.

Malinga's retirement from tests, Gayle, Bravo & Pollard's omission from WI team against Pakistan for opting IPL to national committments, injuries to Sehwag, Gambhir, Gambhir's decision to play IPL and skip India's tour of WI for treatment re-ignited the debate whether IPL should get a separate window in ICC's Future Tours Programme. Tony Grieg's strong criticism of the IPL and claiming ICC to be highly influenced by BCCI  made a talking point half way though the tournament. Shane Warne's public spat with RCA secretary Sanjay Dixit too made big news. An extremely avoidable issue which was blown in the media by childish behaviour by the champion leg spinner and the administrator.

I strongly opine IPL mustn't get a separate window. Getting that would mean complete domination of BCCI over ICC. Separate window would also result in all T20 leagues around the world requesting for windows in the FTP. ICC must have a stronger say in the happenings in the IPL. Shortening the duration of the tournament and allowing senior players to rest, reduction in travel time between matches and cut down on endorsements which make the player jersey look like trash are amongst the issues players would want ICC to take up with the IPL Governing Council; which by the look of things may never happen.

Author also writes on http://www.isport.in/