It’s 5 p.m. on October 13, 2008, and the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is inevitably drifting towards a draw. Considering the state of pitch on the fourth and fifth days, a draw was least expected. However, Harbhajan and Zaheer had other ideas and their antics – both with bat and ball – stood in way of an Australian win. India would certainly be the more satisfied team, not for their performance with the bat but for the end result, as they were on back foot on the fifth day.
After the final tea break – when India had almost saved the match – the only interest left was whether Sachin could get those 64 runs required to break Lara’s record of most Test runs. It wasn’t to be and he went out to a soft dismissal after scoring 49, giving Craig White his first Test wicket.
After watching Sachin’s dismissal, many would wonder if it was really the bad light (he indicated it to the umpire before he got out) or the record-breaking moment at the back of his mind that cost him dearly. I won’t choose the latter one, as this is not the first record coming his way. The simple reason being that I can’t think of any other Indian in the recent past who has handled unrelenting pressure the way he has and delivered the goods. It will be disrespectful on our part to point a finger at him. Can you imagine going out to face bowlers like Lee, McGrath, Donald, Akram, Shoaib, Waqar, Ambrose, Walsh hurling missiles at you and people expecting a hundred every time. Gosh, even the thought is frightening!
Sachin Tendulkar is a man who has been up to that pressure and gave what we asked for, time and again, without ever being bigheaded. So then why we are making remarks like ”can he get the monkey off his back.” I find this ridiculous, more so when I hear it coming from experienced quarters. Why we keep thinking what more he can give us rather than being thankful for what he has already given? It’s a very valid question today!
I wish the readers of this post come forward and add strength to my voice through their views on the issue. Don’t you think those who question Sachin’s abilities are being disrespectful towards him?
JS on Cricket 
