Sachin Tendulkar: 24 unforgettable moments from the maestro’s farewell Test
Sachin Tendulkar: 24 unforgettable moments from the farewell Test
Exactly a year ago on November 16, 2013, Sachin Tendulkar bid an emotional farewell to the game at the Wankhede Stadium. Playing his 200th and final Test, Tendulkar hit 74 to sign off on a high. His family was in attendance as were numerous celebrities from different walks of life.
Nishad Pai Vaidya picks 24 defining moments from the emotional farewell.
1. BCCI felicitation
In the midst of empty stands before start of play on Day One, Tendulkar was felicitated by the BCCI. He was given a trophy for completing 200 Test matches.
2. Commemorative stamp
To mark the special occasion, the Government of India had launched a commemorative stamp in honour of Tendulkar. The presentation was made to him ahead of the start of play.
3. West Indies gesture
West Indies captain Darren Sammy presented Tendulkar a shirt signatures and wishes from his team-members. It was quite a touching gesture from the opposition.
4. MS Dhoni’s thoughtfulness
MS Dhoni, who won the toss and elected to bowl, asked Tendulkar to lead the team onto the field. Tendulkar writes in Playing It My Way, “As we stepped onto the field, the team also presented me with a special commemorative cap, and I spoke to them briefly during the team huddle.”
5. Indians fans ‘celebrate’ fall of India’s second wicket!
Openers Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay had put up a good opening stand late on Day One. However, with the score on 77, both were in the hut. Murali Vijay had scored a strokeful 43 of 55 balls, but when he became the second Indian wicket to fall wickets, his dismissal was received a thunderous response. The reason: it was time for Tendulkar to take strike, the man they had all come to watch — one last time.
6. Guard of honour
Darren Sammy and his men lined up and formed a guard of honour to welcome Tendulkar to the middle for what could have been his last Test innings. Cheteshwar Pujara, the unbeaten batsman, also stood alongside the West Indians. Even the umpires joined in!
7. Getting off the mark
As Tendulkar took guard, a nation was nervous. The mind went back to England’s honour for the Don in his last innings and the duck that followed. After a few deliveries, Tendulkar worked one to the deep on the leg-side to get going. Relief!
8. The first boundary
Shane Shillingford had troubled the Indian batsmen through the series. Tendulkar played out a few and then got his first boundary by cutting one to the deep. And a few moments later, he leant forward and played that classical drive through wide long-off.
9. Straight drive off Darren Sammy
Tendulkar had played himself in and essayed some delightful strokes. However, late on Day One, the shot that stood out was a punch through mid-on for four. It was pitched up and Tendulkar unleashed that trademark punched with rifled off his bat to the fence. It was vintage Tendulkar.
10. Mother on screen
During the last over of Day One, the big screen flashed Rajni Tendulkar [Tendulkar’s mother] on the big screen at the Wankhede Stadium. A loud cheer greeted that moment, many giving her a standing ovation for nurturing India’s biggest sporting superstar.
11. Positive start on Day Two
Tendulkar came out to bat on Day Two on a positive note to. Thirty eight not out overnight, he hit Shane Shillingford behind point and then swept for four as he moved closer to his half-century.
12. The half-century
Tendulkar punched one down the ground off the fast-bowler for four to bring up his half-century. He then raised his bat at the box where his family was seated. Anjali, his wife, signaled to him, asking him to stay. There was a look of determination in Tendulkar’s eyes.
13. The duel with Tino Best
The mercurial West Indian fast bowler produced a hostile spell and attacked Tendulkar with short ball. Tendulkar termed it an “inspired spell” in his book. After a few play and miss, Tendulkar played a great cover drive to settle scores. Best had a smile and Tendulkar also shared a laugh with him. It was all in good humour!
14. When the heart stopped
On 74, Tendulkar shaped to cut a ball from Narsingh Deonarine. The ball took a thick edge and flew to Sammy at first-slip, who pulled off a blinder. For a moment, the crowd was unaware. Sammy did not move or celebrate. It was only when Tendulkar started walking that everyone realised he was out! Disbelief gripped the ground.
15. The walk back to the hut
Tendulkar was given a rousing reception as he made his way back. He looked back at the Wankhede Stadium and waved his bat at the appreciative crowd. Though there was a chance of a second innings, West Indies hadn’t exactly shown the fight to last the distance.
16. Arjun Tendulkar applauds
Tendulkar’s son, Arjun, was a ball-boy that day and was seated close to the steps leading to the dressing room. As his father walked back, Arjun was seen applauding his effort. He wasn’t supposed to be there as his school team was scheduled to play a game. Fortunately for him, his team was awarded a walk-over which allowed him to be a part of an unforgettable moment.
17. One last bowl
As West Indies hurtled towards defeat on Day Three, Tendulkar was handed the ball. Tendulkar bowled his usual cocktail — a mix of the leg-breaks and the googlies.
18. Tendulkar asked not be part of the team huddle
At the fall of the ninth wicket, skipper MS Dhoni asked Tendulkar to stay away from the huddle as the team wanted to discuss something to complete his farewell. Tendulkar cut a lone figure as his team met far away from him. “I could not stop myself from getting emotional,” he wrote.
19. The moving guard of honour
As India wrapped up the game, the team came together and formed a guard of honour to escort Tendulkar off the field. He looked back, waved to the crowd and started making his way to the dressing room. As he walked off, the team continued to run sideways to sustain the guard of honour till the boundary ropes.
20. The tears flow – finally
Tendulkar has been an epitome of strength on the field of play, but emotions got the better of him as he made his way back to the pavilion. He held his face in his hand and sobbed as his career came to a close. There was hardly a dry eye among the spectators and millions watching him on television around the world.
21. A speech that melted hearts
It was simple, yet beautiful. He spoke from his heart and touched everyone’s emotions with that rendition. The ‘Thank You List’ was scribbled on the flight from Kolkata [where he had gone to play his penultimate Test] to Mumbai. The speech was all about gratitude and acknowledgement.
22. Family joins in
Tendulkar’s wife Anjali, children Sara and Arjun were near the presentation party and then joined him the victory lap. Anjali was moved to tears when Tendulkar said that his marriage was “the best partnership of his life.”
23. The victory lap
This was a throwback from the World Cup final. Tendulkar was lifted on shoulders by his teammates and escorted around the Wankhede Stadium. He had the Indian flag in his hand and he waved it to the crowd to bid goodbye.
24. Thanking the 22 yards
Tendulkar’s life “in 24 years between 22 yards” had reached its conclusion. As the victory lap got over, Tendulkar ran to the square, bowed to the wicket, touched it to pay his respects. This was his last act on the field of play. A touch of gratitude! And nothing was more touching than this one act of gratitude by the maestro.
(Nishad Pai Vaidya is Correspondent with CricketCountry and anchor for the site’s YouTube Channel. His Twitter handle is @nishad_45)