With all due respect to Sachin Tendulkar
By cobradene
@cobradene (1171)
India
February 25, 2010 1:19am CST
With all due respect to Sachin Tendulkar, I congratulate him for his success of scoring a double ton yesterday. Great job, great achievement, shows relentless passion for the game, and always a burn zeal to achieve more. There is no doubt about it.
But I would rather also say, he has matured as a human being over the years, and become a little more selfless, even though he has the hunger for records. I don't want to disappoint the fan of Sachin Tendulkar by being or speaking negative about him, though no human is perfect. He is the God of cricket for many and I have been an ardent fan of him ever since I started watching him play. I have seen him play from his first international debut in Pakistan.
I do remember when he scored his 100 against Australia in Sharjah on his birthday, he said the following words, "I would like to dedicate this 100 to my wife Anjali and my new born daughter". And yesterday, after 20 years of cricket, it finally takes him to say, "I dedicate this century to every Indian". It took him 20 years to come up with this patriotic line, which is rather all the more amusing. Surely he has said many times, playing for the country comes first and records come later. But, I remember many of his hundreds being dedicated rather to his family members and not to the country.
The other disappointment was, he didn't have any praise for Dinesh Karthik at all, but rather had more praise for Yusuf and Dhoni. Dhoni always deserves a praise when he plays his natural game, but I don't think Yusuf deserves it, because he is either whacking the ball out of the park or he's whacking himself for walking out of the park. I have hardly seen Yusuf have any consistency, no doubt he scores a quick 30 runs and gets out. But he is of no use when the team needs him the most and needs a strong partnership. But Dinesh did play an ideal role yesterday by supporting Tendulkar on the other side, but I don't know why Tendulkar didn't want to speak about him, or comfort him. From his words, it's clear, he has pinched the wounds of Karthik and snubbed him by saying, "it was mainly because of Yusuf and Dhoni that India could put up a score". How could he ignore Karthik? He just had to say, "Of course Karthik played well, but it was mainly because of Yusuf and Dhoni".
One final word of criticism which the fans may not like, "The raising of his hands and head up into the sky, was pretty exaggerated, a pose he did deliberately for the photographers". Somehow, even he knows it well that he's being noticed by the cameras, and he wants that he is covered with the best of poses all over newspapers and magazines. I am sorry, somethings are overdone and don't go unnoticed. Play well on the field, but please underplay your narcissistic ego... :) It's a hard word, but I dare to speak what I feel.
3 people like this
7 responses
@veejay19 (3589)
• India
25 Feb 10
I agree completely with all that you have written about the great Sachin Tendulkar.If you have ever heard the Pakistani players whenever they have done something, they always dedicate whatever they have done, first to God and then to their country and then to their team members.Yes it has taken Sachin a long time to dedicate his innings to his country, perhaps he was waiting for his score to reach the double century mark!
Regarding the mannerism of removing the helmet and raising his head skywards, it is the somewhat amusing aspect that God, in this case the Sun, is always in t he heavens. A more appropriate gesture would be to touch the heart with his right hand because God really resides in one heart, though he is as much in the body as well as everywhere. What a difference when de Villiers got his century, he just casually raised his bat in acknowledgement and nothing else.
@cobradene (1171)
• India
25 Feb 10
Every time Sachin scored a fifty or a hundred his actions have been exaggerated. Doing the Skyward thing is for the photos and news reviews.. Nothing else!! Ha ha!
@Gany15k (1673)
• India
25 Feb 10
Every player does this.It is not for cameras or the news reviews.It is an achievement.You just mention a player who does not raises his bat after reaching 50 or 100.You cannot.Every player does.What wrong in this.Whether he scored for his record purpose or country sake.He contributed something.Thats is what we need.
If Sachin is guilty in his thoughts as you said he didn't dedicate his runs to Indian people he should not have sustained in cricket for 20 yrs.How many players are their without controversies with other player.Whether Sachin has anything.He is the genius.
I won't mind if other believes or not.
Have you watched any of Sachin's InterviewHe always thank the Indian people.
Only one thing I like to say If he is guilty then he would not have sustained in cricket for 20 yrs.
I respect him.And I salute him.I'm proud to say that I'm his fan.This is enough for me.
@cobradene (1171)
• India
25 Feb 10
You guys are thinking that these cricketers are seriously playing for their countries? Are you kidding? Gone are the days of honesty in the midst of match-fixing and bookies. What sustains him for 20 years is not for you and me to judge. Passion for the game and fame is enough to keep you there. Somebody wants to be out there, and doesn't want to burn out is a different issue, and need not necessarily be due to patriotic reasons. Why doesn't Rajinikanth or Amitabh stop acting? Why doesn't Rajinikanth stop acting as a hero and start doing character roles? Similarly, Sachin doesn't want to change roles. Yes, he loves his country and plays for it, but there is degree and element of patriotism along with pride, ego and want of money and a lot of other things involved.... Nobody is purely selfless... It is we who make somebody into a demi-god when we want, and then pull them down... when they don't perform. Where were all his fans when he wasn't performing and suffering from injury? He was booed by 100,000 in Mumbai when he got out on a cheap score. And today, he scores a double ton you want to bring him back on the podium again and put a garland around his neck.....
@Wismay (2037)
• India
25 Feb 10
Well, I disagree that one needs to dedicate an Innings to country every time he scores a century. When he plays for a national team it is automatically treated as dedicated to country.
The news papers world over mention him as India's Sachin and India won etc. So he is representing India and if he plays good country gets the credit.
I am not supporting what Sachin does or not does but I think everyone has his own ways. So if he looks up and remembers his DAD or thanks GOD, then it is his CHOICE.
And as far as, not commenting on Karthik's contribution it is always possible to leave out something when one speaks.
One person might call his friend up and speak for an hour and after hanging up the phone he might remember and say, "oh no! I just forgot to mention this thing!" How many times it happens to an average person? Many a times!
If one is not selfish or for that matter 'doesn't love himself' he cannot do anything. There will be no passion. Passion is not spiritual, it is earthly thing. But passion inspires a person to do more and go on.
Einstein said famously " [b]If my theory of relativity is proven correct, Germany will claim me as a German and France will say I am a man of the world. If it's proven wrong, France will say I am a German and Germany will say I am a Jew.
If relativity is proved right the Germans will call me a German, the Swiss will call me a Swiss citizen, and the French will call me a great scientist. If relativity is proved wrong the French will call me a Swiss, the Swiss will call me a German and the Germans will call me a Jew.[/b]"
So if one is successful everyone talks about him and if he fails nobody cares. So what's wrong if sachin loves himself and his records?
The problem comes from the fact that some people call him GOD etc and out unnecessary pressure. Let him enjoy being a human and being successful!
Happy Mylotting!
@cobradene (1171)
• India
25 Feb 10
@ Wismay - Thank you for your wonderful response. I do appreciate that Sachin has never been in the midst of various controversies like Ganguly or Azhar. There is no doubt about it. But the way he praised Karthik was never so genuine.... He may have played the role of Dravid, and had he not played that role, then I don't think we would have put up a big score. Most of the times when the top 3 batsmen fail we fail to reach a score of 300.
Tendulkar is patriotic, no doubt about it, I don't refuse it, but how patriotic is he that he wasn't even willing to relinquish his opening slot to either Ganguly or Sehwag. Probably you guys have forgotten that he was totally upset when he was sent at no.4 to bat before the 99 world cup. For months together, he was asked to bat at no.4 and that totally lowered his confidence, and also he was upset that he couldn't score anymore centuries because the top 3 slots were occupied by Ganguly, Sehwag and Dravid. There was an altercation within the team management because of this, and Tendulkar clearly said he won't play anymore if he doesn't get the opening slot. If you are playing for your country, and if you are a world class batsman you shouldn't have any issues with batting at any number in the order. But Tendulkar has issues.
@Wismay (2037)
• India
25 Feb 10
Yes it is true that Sachin should be ready to play at any number for country. He might prefer to Open the Innings in ODI and Play at No4 slot in Tests. I think as a player he can discuss where he wants to play and captain can listen to that preference. So that is within the rule of cricket. If Sachin was not an Opening batsman in ODI and he wanted to replace someone and play at NO1 or No2 position then that would have been called outrightly wrong. But if he is playing well in a position and captain wants him to change the slot then he can convince the captain that he should be let to play in the same position.
In chess it is even ridiculous. Karpov and Kasparov both Champions and both Russians always fought and bitter over playing on 'THE NO 1 BOARD' in team competitions. It really doesn't affect in anyway to their play but still! They had their own reasons. I think this kind of things do happen. But one cannot question that Kasparov and Karpov were not enough patriotic. It is just a human factor and human psychology.
Disappointment over batting order is a common thing in every time. It doesn't surface very often that is it.
Happy Mylotting!
@Gany15k (1673)
• India
25 Feb 10
Hi wismay, thanks to you that you didnt say anything bad about sachin.Really you made a nice explanation.Sachin is great.
It is natural to miss a person while you speak as you said.I don't think it will be a issue.Dinesh karthick did a good kob.Every one knows it.Why he have to mention that.
I think he said that the score picks up faster after the entr of MSD and Pathan.He is correct.They scored more runs than the ball.So he said like that.
Every one knows about Sachin.He is a genius.
And once again thank you wismay for your good response.Have a nice day.
@stardustcdsd (1856)
• India
25 Feb 10
ok your title itself said this is not going to be a prasing discussion of tendulkar.
lets begin.
his last test century in chennai against england,he dedicated it to the victims of the mumbai blast.where were you then?
if i am not wrong,most batsmen,including laxman recently deciated the century to his wife or children.whats so wrong with that?
if he has to say this thing everytime he gets a century,it will look more like a catch phrase rather than meaning it really.
as for karthik,after tendulkar retires,he will be the only reason i might watch cricket.tendulkar did mention about karthick but like every other news paper guy out there,you misconstruct the statements.
he said he thought 340 is a good target but because of the big hittings of yusuf and dhoni that we managed to reach his 100.
you cant say the same to a guy who scored 3 fours and 3 sixes and played the role of dravid. and if its the case,tendulkar might have to include every player who scored in that game.
different people have different ways of celebrating their 100.some puch the sir,some jump high ,some kneel on the ground and some just do like tendulkar.
its just not a pose for newspaper.its more like a dedication to the people whom he is representing and for himself acknoledging it.
when one plays on a game abroad with hardly a clap for every boundary he scores,some batsmen not even care to show those people that they dont give a crap whether they appreciate it or not while others jump up and down saying your country deserved it.
seriously tendulkar has his flaws and i as a fan of tendulkar knows it.but next time,try pointing out his real flaws unlike these childish stuffs.
@cobradene (1171)
• India
25 Feb 10
You may find my argument childish, because your passion is attached with "Tendulkar's image" of scoring runs, and creating national attention, and it's how the media has represented him. Have you ever met him in person and known him for days together? And for your information, I started this debate to know people's opinions and impressions about him rather than paint his face black. How well do you know Tendulkar when he was sent down the order at no.4 to bat which diminished his confidence, because he couldn't score any more centuries? Do you remember "Mr.Fan of Tendulkar"? Playing for the country is important, then why was he upset when Ganguly and Wright decided to send him at no.4? He fought to get his opening position back, or else he said he won't play again. So, stop being a childish fan of Tendulkar, and look at him from an non-biased point of view. My title doesn't suggest that it's going to be a "Paint Tendulkar black" okay? I do remember very well he had dedicated his hundred to victims of Chennai, but that's why I said it took him years to mature.... And, if you want to know where I was when he dedicated his hundred, I shall give you my home address, we can sit and argue face to face.
@cobradene (1171)
• India
25 Feb 10
Yes, you got to chill for sure.... Everybody is entitled to their opinions, so learn to reciprocate in a mature manner instead of judging somebody's discussion as childish or whatever without getting too emotional.... We Indians generally have the tendency to poke at each other with too much personal comments... That's what I want to put across. So please be more mature before you reciprocate... So instead of getting personal with discussions learn to post in more professional way....
@stardustcdsd (1856)
• India
25 Feb 10
chill dude.if you start a discussion like this,you will bound to get responses which directly attacks you and if you retaliate,it is of no use.i dont care a bit what that guy is personally.or even if he is another tiger woods.nobody is gonna care even if he is leading a double-life.
all that matters is too many youngsters grew up dreaming to be the next tendulkar.how many of them knew him personally or how many of them will get to know him personally?
only a very minimum.not everyone is as previledged as you are.
so to me and to the other millions of indian he is a player,a good batsmen,an ordinary bowler and a good fielder.thats what we want and nothing more or less.
these people including me dont care if he blackmailed ganguly and the coach to be a opener as long he is producing the results.
i dont care if he dedicates his next hundred to the terrorist organisation.
all that matters is the person in the field and what he does in that match.
oh as for address and arguements,not intrested.i rest my case.
@23uday (2997)
• India
1 Mar 10
hi friend,
Yes, i respect to sachin tendulkar.
Sachin has all kinds of records and this is a reward for his dedication and focus.
Youngsters involved in all sports from any part of the world need to learn from
him.They should not be carried away by success.His career is also a lesson on how to manage one's career.
Sachin Tendulkar is all time great batsman in the world and no one can
break his record.
have a good day.
@23uday (2997)
• India
1 Mar 10
hi friend,
Yes, i respect to sachin tendulkar.
Sachin has all kinds of records and this is a reward for his dedication and focus.
Youngsters involved in all sports from any part of the world need to learn from
him.They should not be carried away by success.His career is also a lesson on how to manage one's career.
Sachin Tendulkar is all time great batsman in the world and no one can
break his record.
have a good day.
@daliaj (5674)
• India
25 Feb 10
Sachin is a great cricketer, there is no doubt in that. You have looked on Sachin as a human being and pointed about some minuses. You can't expect him to be the perfect man in the world. See this, if your neighbour looks at you with an eye of cricism, they will list a lot of points against you. The same with Sachin also. He is also a normal man with all weakness having lots of positives and negatives.
You said about dedicating a century to his wife and new born baby. If you were in that place, would you have dedicated it to the country? If I were in that position being in the happiness of having a new baby and a century, 100% sure, I would have dedicated it to my wife and new born baby. He earned the century by his hard work. We should understand that.
Also, he has the style of raising his hands with bat and looking into the sky when he gets a century. You know about that if you have seen his matches before. That is a way of thanking god. Publicity is nothing new to Sachin. He has been in publicity more than this for a long time. There was a time India used to win only because of Sachin. So, I don't agree with you if you say that he was concious about media coverage.
@cobradene (1171)
• India
25 Feb 10
I won't comment if I would have dedicated the century to my wife and baby right now, because if I would say that I would have first dedicated it to my country and then my family, surely I would draw a lot of criticism for that.... It's a good gesture to dedicate it to your family, and that's fine... I have seen footballers also dedicating their goals to their new born babies.. The point is, it's very rare that he has spoken of dedicating his hundreds to the country first. Navjot Siddhu, every time he scored a 100 he only had to say with all his heart, "To my country".
But I like the way the discussion is moving, and I agree too that Sachin is human, and that's what I want to prove through my discussion. I am looking at Sachin only as a human, as much as I look at myself. You may not agree that he is conscious about media coverage, whereas he is very conscious about it. The moment he sees that attention is slipping away from him, he consciously feels that he needs to perform better to stay in the limelight.
He is wonderful human being no doubt about it. The first impression of him being conscious came in the Border-Gavaskar trophy in Australia, because of him the series got drawn, or we would have won it. He took such a long time to score his double hundred and we lost time. But when was awarded the man of the match, he just had to say only one thing, "It's better late than never." Meaning at least performed late after a series of rough patch he had been through. Even then he had to talk only about himself.... But, we failed to look that we could have won the series had he not taken so much time for his double century, and that was not the first time he has done that.
Hard work is there, but how many greats have played for records. Look at Brian Lara, except for 375 not out and 401 not out, he has never concentrated on records. But on the other hand it's beautiful to aim higher which is no doubt. And Sachin has been able to do that... Aim for higher records and at the same time aim for victory. But it would be nice if somebody presents of statistics of how many 100s from Sachin have been match-winners. But unfortunately, there haven't been other batsman to support him, (before Sehwag arrived), to help him win the game.
What's wrong in pointing out some minuses about a genius? He is a great soul, a great ambassador of the game. I am not denying it.
@cobradene (1171)
• India
25 Feb 10
I am not arriving at any conclusions about Sachin Tendulkar, but I am arriving at the conclusions about us, how we make an image out of a Celebrity and celebrate... the image of Tendulkar is in our minds and not in him... Each and every person has his or her own perception which keeps changing with time regardless of what the subject is doing... I am not trying to say what I like and what I don't like... I am just non-biased... and discussing something with a complete neutral state of mind... I have no attachments towards anything positive or negative. It's purely one discussion and and gathering opinions.
@stardustcdsd (1856)
• India
25 Feb 10
i dont think i got this exactly right but i think you just dont like people call him the god of cricket.you want him to be remembered as a good cricketer,even the best cricketer .thats it.human with flaws and not a god.am i wrong?
@anurag3786 (6267)
• India
25 Feb 10
Yes you are right .. yesterday's innings of Sachin Tendulkar was the historical innings of word cricket.. and now India seal series 2-0.. I think.. 1 or 2 times before Sachin had hot the chance.. but on that time he was injured and get retired hurt.. in the match of India Vs. Nezeland.. on that match Sachin made 186 not out.. but he was injured.. so he didn't played continue..his innings.. but yesterday he again get the chance to make 200.. and now he made it.. that was the blasted innings from Sachin.. have a nice day and keep mylotting always..
