All good things come to an end...

I feel a cruel , almost barbaric streak run through me when I read that some people have blackened and stoned the houses of our cricketers after a loss .If I could, I would hang every one of those miscreants in the worst possible way.

I have been a passionate supporter of our team for a long time.I cried when Harbhajan Singh smacked the ball from McGrath past point to win the Chennai test and the series 2-1.I cried when Saurav Ganguly twirled his shirt in anger and triumph at Lords.

The commentators on TV took the words out of my mouth once when they said that our team really needs our support when it’s losing rather than when it’s winning.

Still our country has an abundance of hypocrites, who after a bad performance, go to town cursing our team and baying for their blood.
These same people, after a victory, sing praises and proclaim themselves to be the most ardent supporters of India.

I wish there was a law against such people and I would be happy to be the executioner.

Today Sachin Tendulkar scored his 42nd hundred while batting second, to help India win the first of the three finals of the Commonwealth Bank tri-series in Australia.He scored 117 not out in 120 balls, carrying his bat.

Before this , he had NEVER scored a hundred in Australia.

Before this , his run in the series had been just about fair.

Before this , his first second innings average in the last 3 years was just in the mid 20s.

Before this, it was said that he hasn't won enough matches for India.

Does todays match change any of this ? Are you the kind of person who reads into statistics? I have been lucky to witness the almost the entire career of this great man.

He has given millions of Indians, including me, such immense moments of joy in these 18 years.
For free.

He might have made trillions in the process.. But did he ever ask you, the average Indian, watching the match at home on the sofa for even one rupee?And still, we try to wrap him up in statistics.

Let him be. He has done his job.

This tour to Australia was the biggest test for him, and with three centuries on this tour he has come out on top.

For me, whatever he does from now on is a bonus.

All good things come to end.

Accept the fact that there is going to be a day when Sachin Tendulkar will take the guard of honour. It would be great if it was from an Australian team at the Wankhede stadium , Mumbai.

An afterthought:

In the late 2020’s as Arjun Tendulkar takes strike on debut, a 50 year old man with a baby voice might be doing commentary.

That will a magical moment and I look forward to it.

Is there a slight tremble in my fingers as I type ?

I think there is.