Tendulkar the maestro

BANGLADESH may have rained on India’s parade with a highly unlikely win in the Asia Cup but the occasion was still special for the visiting team. Dhaka witnessed a historic moment in cricketing history on Friday when Indian supremo Sachin Tendulkar, the Little Master, finally notched up his 100th international century encompassing both Tests and One-Day Internationals. There are few records, barring Don Bradman’s astonishing Test average of nearly 100 runs per innings, that Tendulkar does not hold. He was one of the youngest cricketers to make his international debut, against Pakistan at the age of just 16 on Nov 15, 1989 in Karachi. Unlike some other promising players of the 1980s and 1990s, his immense talent did not prove to be short-lived. He complemented his monumental natural gift with hard work and a superb understanding of the game to become the best batsman the subcontinent, if not the world, has ever produced.

Tendulkar, now almost 39, has under his belt the most runs and centuries scored in Tests as well as ODIs. In 2010 he became the first batsman to breach the 200-run barrier in ODIs, a feat equalled by compatriot Virendar Sehwag a year later. Brilliant with the bat and also handy with the ball — though he does not turn his arm over much these days — Tendulkar remains in a class of his own. He is of course idolised in India but cricket fans across the world readily acknowledge that he is a true maestro, a man blessed with not just amazing talent but also a sporting spirit that adds lustre to the game. He has proven that recent calls for his retirement were perhaps premature. Still, Tendulkar is nearing 40 and, unlike some cricketers who continue to play when the inevitable looms large, he may consider bowing out on a historic high.