Indian cricket’s golden chapter has ended as India’s cricket legend and master blaster Sachin Tendulkar retired from all forms of cricket on Saturday.

Mumbai, Nov 16/Nationalturk – India’s cricket legend and master blaster Sachin Tendulkar retired from all forms of cricket on Saturday saying cricket will reverberate in his tears till his last breath.

India crushed West Indies by an innings and 126 runs at Wankhade stadium, here to complete a 2-0 whitewash in two test series. The test match was the 200th and last test match of 40-year-old Sachin Tendulkar, who started his cricket career 24 years back.

The Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai was jam-packed today and people wanted to be witness to one of the most poignant moments in the history of Indian cricket.  Wankhede rose on its feet and chanted “Sachin, Sachin” for one last time. “You will always be remembered,” read the signboard at Wankhede stadium.

Sachin remained the smiling, boyish figure he was when he burst onto the cricket’s world stage in 1989, aged 16. He has ended as the world’s leading Test and one-day scorer and the only man to record 100 international centuries in his career. Besides, playing 200 Test matches, Sachin, the god  of Indian cricket has played 463 ODIs, one T20 and  amassed 34,347 international runs.

The Indian cricket god has held almost all batting records except great Don Bradman’s career average of 99.94, and West Indian Brian Lara’s individual scores of 400 not out in Tests and an unbeaten 501 in first-class cricket.

‘Sachin was hit on nose by Pakistani bowler in first match’

In his very first match against arch rivals Pakistan, Sachin was hit on the nose by pace bowler Waqar Younis’s pacy delivery. It seemed that his career would come to an inglorious end and his batting partner Navjot Sidhu, now a TV commentator,  was about to rush to his aid when the boy with blood dripping from his nose raised his hand and said, “Mein Khelega [I will play]”, thus announcing his arrival to the world. Since then he has not turned back and achieved milestones after milestone.

When Tendulkar was at the crease, no score was beyond India’s reach. The opposing captains and bowlers made him their prime target and their entire strategy revolved around Tendulkar. They knew that if they got their man, the match would be in their bag. If they failed to get him, they had no hope. And India always hoped for this scenario.

He has single-handedly won may cricket matches for the country.

The 40-year-old maestro broke down after being presented a souvenir stump by his teammates after India won the match. Wiping tears, he trudged back to the dressing room but not before acknowledging the fans and shaking hands with the West Indian cricketers at the boundary line.

The crowd was on its feet, so were each and everyone in the press-box. He was back on the ground for the presentation accompanied by his wife Anjali and children, Arjun and Sara.

Emotional Tendulkar thanks all

After being presented a couple of mementos, Tendulkar gave an emotional speech and thanked every contributor to his 24-year-career before taking a lap of honour.

With tears clearly visible in his eyes, the legend in his speech said,  “My father was most important person in my life and I have missed him a lot since 1999. Without his guidance, I won’t have been standing here before you. He gave me freedom since 11. He told me to be a nice human being. Every time I have done something special, I have raised my bat for my father. My mother started praying for me before I started playing cricket and she kept praying, praying and praying. A big thanks to her for all the sacrifices.”

“My eldest brother Nitin and his family have always supported me. He said whatever you do, I know you will give a 100 per cent. My first cricket bat – a Kashmir willow – was presented by my sister. She is the one who continues to fast when I bat. So thank you Savita,” he said.

‘My coach never said to me well played’

Referring to his first coach, he said, “My cricket career started when I was 11. Turning point of my career was when my brother Ajith took me to Achrekar sir. I was extremely delighted to see him in the stands today. On a lighter note, he never said ‘well played’ in the last 29 years because he thought I will become complacent. Sir, now I have played my last but cricket will always be in my heart”.

Tendulkar said most beautiful thing happened to him in 1990 when he met his wife Anjali. “Those were the most wonderful years. Being a doctor, there was a wonderful career ahead of her. She told me when we wanted to have a family that I should concentrate on cricket and she will take care of everything. Thanks for being there. You are the best partnership I have had in my life. I wanted to spend so much time with my daughter Sara and son Arjun on their birthdays, annual days, sports days. I missed out on all of these. Thanks for understanding. For 14 and 16 years, I did not spend enough time. I promise you  I will make it up”.

“I want to thank all the people here and from various parts of the world. You have meant a lot to me,” the legend said to his fans.

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Faiz Ahmad / NationalTurk Pakistan News