If Beatles were Indians, he would have been the fifth Beatle in terms of popularity. There, perhaps, are many people who believe that the Sachin Tendulkar phenomenon is bigger than the Beatlemania. Not for nothing is he called God.
Things, however, have been different of late. The ‘fifth one’ has fallen a little silent. Tendulkar has not exactly let his bat bang the ball the way it used to.
Clearly in the autumn of his career, the maestro’s recent form and modes of his dismissals have set the tongues wagging. There have been calls for him to call it a day although there are not too many here who know his mind.
At least in the Indian camp, there are those who want him to continue. With India having their backs to the wall in the series, MS Dhoni is happy to have him in the side.
“He (Tendulkar) is the best man to have in the team in a situation like this because of the kind of experience he has and the kind of performances he has given in similar situations in the past over the years,” the Indian skipper said adding that the entire team looks up to him for inspiration. “He is someone we all look up to. When it comes to Sachin, I think it’s best not to speculate. Let him enjoy his cricket.”
Tendulkar has averaged about 25 this year and has not had a century in close to two years. He managed a half-century in the previous Test but that knock came after an arduous struggle. The speculation is rife that he would suddenly call it quits at the end of the series here in Nagpur.
But Alastair Cook refused to be drawn into discussion if it is time for Tendulkar to retire. “It’s not for me to say when the great man can retire or whatever… He will make whatever decision he has to make,” the England skipper remarked before analysing his achievements. “He is an amazing and an incredible cricketer with a fantastic record. No one will match hundred hundreds, I am sure of that. It’s a pleasure to play against him.”
With the team behind in the series, the fourth Test is the right opportunity for Tendulkar to prove that he is still a force. He is the batsman with matchless ability to resurrect himself and he can redeem himself with an innings of substance. He owes it to the team, fans and the country.
