CRICKET: Sachin Tendulkar-- Modern God of batting

In the field of sports there are always men who are better than others. They are the men who become icons and they are the men who are legends. The following article is about such a man who, at the age of 28, is arguably the modern God of Batting.

This column is about the man who rules modern day Cricket and has the unmatched ability to attract huge crowds wherever he plays. He is the "Master Blaster" Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar, the best batsman in the World.

Sachin Tendulkar was born on April 24, 1973, in India's business capital, Bombay (now Mumbai). Right from his childhood, Sachin was inclined towards Cricket and was an ardent fan of Sunil Gavaskar, a batting mastero himself. It was this inclination towards Cricket, which brought him to the ShardaAshram Vidya Mandir School, which was renowned for its Cricket team.

There, under the guidance of coach Mr. Ramakant Achrekar, Sachin learnt his first lessons on Cricket. Playing for his School team in an Inter School Cricket Championship, he made the Record books for the first time when he was involved in a massive World Record partnership of 646 runs with his school mate Vinod Kambli, who like Sachin went on to play for India. This partnership remains the highest ever partnership in any form of Cricket. Sachin Tendulkar had already made his presence felt and this was just the beginning!

At the age of 15, Sachin made his first-class debut with a bang. He scored centuries on debut in all of the three domestic first-class competitions. This is a record for India's Domestic Cricket. This was just another feather in his cap. So, the scene was set for this young prodigy to display his skills at the International level. After such sensational performances Sachin's international debut was just around the corner. The year was 1989, the venue Karachi and the opponents, India's arch rivals Pakistan. Before a hostile crowd Tendulkar, aged 16 Years 205 days became the youngest ever Test Cricketer for India. It wasn't an easy debut for the 5'4", lean built youngster as the Pakistani pace battery, which included such stalwarts as Imran Khan and Wasim Akram, showered him with some fiery Bouncers. His face was blooded when he was struck on his nose but such was his grit and determination that he stood his ground and made a gutsy 15. It was not the most sensational debuts but considering the conditions it was not the worst either. Thus the International debut was made and a youngster was waiting to embark upon an International Career that was to dazzle many off their feet in the years to come.

If you ask a batsman which moment in Test Cricket he cherished the most, nine out of 10 times, the answer will be the first Test Century. Yes, a Test Century is always very special for any Cricketer. Sachin scored his maiden Test Century at an age of 17 Years to become the 2nd youngest Test Centurion ever. He scored his 1st Test Century against England in a match saving effort. Sachin Tendulkar had now well and truly arrived on the scene and the Cricket Pundits were already hailing this 'Bombay Bomber' as the Superstar of the future. How true this prediction was to be!

Then came the Test Series against the mighty Aussies in their own Backyard. In conditions which are considered too hot for the Indians to handle, this young man scored a breath taking century on the fastest wicket (playing surface) in the World against one of the most fearsome pace bowling attack of the 90s. He showed his class as his more experienced teammates struggled to come to terms with the extra pace and bounce in the Wicket. Sachin scored another century on the same tour at Sydney and he was not yet 20. For a man short in stature, he handled the pace and bounce with utmost ease and struck the ball with sheer brute force. The hardest of critics couldn't help admire his exceptional talent and he returned home with a reputation that was ever growing. So, a star was born and since then he has never looked back. With a Test Career average of almost 57 (Over 50 is exceptional) and 25 Test Centuries (4th on the list of most centuries in test Cricket) his future looks ominous.

The best part about Sachin's batting is that he can balance his aggressive strokeplay with a strong defensive technique. This is the reason why he has earned respect of both the connoisseurs and the average Cricket fan. His brute stroke play and his silken timing make his batting a sight to behold. His hand eye coordination is such that once, a great cricketer commented that he could even bat with a stump. It is this aggression which has helped him to make a huge mark on the limited overs version of the game. In fact, he is the king of the One Day Game. He holds the record for the most number of runs (10178), most number of centuries (28) and the most number of Man of the match records. Such is his dominance that the next batsman closest to him in as far as the number of runs is concerned is about 2000 runs behind. Same is the case with his centuries, he leads the list by a margin of nine centuries.

Sachin Tendulkar's one-day career changed on that fateful afternoon in Auckland, New Zealand. Due to an injury to one of the Indian openers Sachin was sent out to open the innings for the first time in his life. A swashbuckling 82 off just 40 odd balls ensured that he made the slot his own. The ball had never raced quicker to the boundary as it did that afternoon at the Eden Park in Auckland. The phenomenon was unleashed. From that time on he has become the most prolific opener in one day cricket. Some of his most memorable innings have come in the shorter version of the game, like his 143 against Australia where he single handedly demolished the Aussie attack and guided India to a berth in the finals of the Tournament. He also showed immense character and courage when after attending his father's funeral the day before, he smashed the Kenyan attack to score an emotionally charged 140 not out. In the process he won India their first match of the 1999 World Cup. There was hardly an eye that was not moist when this little genius raised his bat on reaching his century, which he fittingly dedicated to his departed father. Also, not many can forget the onslaught that he launched on the Zimbabweans at Benoni in South Africa. India was struggling in the tournament and they desperately needed to win the match by achieving a very steep target of 240 runs in 40 overs (240 balls). Sachin was the captain of the side and unto this point in the tournament was struggling with his form. In the most memorable displays of batsmanship the champion batsman that he is chose the occasion to show his real class and scored a scintillating century which ultimately led India into the finals. It was one of his best innings.

Apart from being a great batsman Sachin is also a very useful bowler. 101 wickets in the One-Day format of the game are proof of his all-round ability. Who can ever forget his last over against South Africa in the HERO CUP in 1994. South Africa needed 6 runs of the last over (6 balls) with 2 wickets remaining. Sachin who had not bowled an over in the match took the ball from the captain and restricted South African batsmen to just 2 runs and won the match for India. It was a knockout game and India had to win to make it into the finals.

Tendulkar is GOD to the Indian fans. When he is batting the entire nation comes to a halt and prays for his success. Crowds flock to watch him practice and autograph hunters are never too far. Sachin has gained immense popularity through out the world and its not just because of his unparalleled batting but also because of his humbleness and modesty. He is a role model and an Icon for millions of his fans. At the age of 28, Sachin Tendulkar stands tall in reputation and achievements. With the World at his feet and with another 7odd years of Cricket left in him the future of this 'BOMBAY BOMBER' looks Ominous. He is truly the GOD of modern Batting.