Published 21:24 IST, November 16th 2019
On this day in 2013, Sachin Tendulkar's 22-yard journey came to an end in his own backyard
Sachin Tendulkar had played his last match on this very day in 2013. India hosted West Indies at the Wankhede Stadium which was also Sachin's 200th Test.
Advertisement
Sachin Tendulkar is arguably the best batsman in world cricket as he holds numerous records in the gentleman's game. He started his cricketing career at a tender age of 16 back in 1989 when India had toured Pakistan. At such a young age, Sachin had to face the likes of Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and others who had comprised of a fierce bowling unit back then. To date, the Master Blaster holds the most number of centuries in both Tests and One Day Internationals and at the same time, he remains the top-run getter in both the formats as well. Meanwhile, it was on this very day in 2013 that he bid adieu to what he loved doing the most.
'Sachin Sachin'
You have heard that right. There were chants of 'Sachin Sachin' on November 16, 2013, when Sachin Tendulkar's memorable career came to an end in his own backyard, Wankhede Stadium which also happened to be his 200th Test match. In his final Test match, Sachin Tendulkar fell agonizingly short of what would have been a well-deserved century. He was dismissed for 74 by Darren Sammy off Narsingh Deonarine and there was pin-drop silence on the ground as the crowd had probably sensed that the Master Blaster would be seen on the ground for one final time. That is exactly what had happened as India did not have to bat again after they had posted a mammoth total of 495 in the first innings which proved to be more than enough as West Indies failed to offer any resistance and India registered a comprehensive win by an innings and 126 runs.
Sachin's emotional farewell speech
After the match was over, the Little Master had given an emotional farewell speech where he thanked everyone right from his family to the fans and also talked about his illustrious cricketing career.
''My life has been between 22 yards for 24 years and it's hard to believe my wonderful journey is coming to an end.''
''My cricket career started when I was 11. The turning point of my career was when my brother Ajit took me to Achrekar sir and that is the best thing to have happened to me.'' ''My mother started praying for me the day I started playing cricket. I think those prayers and blessings gave me strength.'' ''I would like to thank the most important person in my life, who I have missed since 1999 when he passed away - my father. Without his guidance, I wouldn't be standing in front of you.'' '' My team-mates are like my family away from home. I have had some wonderful times with them. It is going to be difficult to not be part of the dressing room, sharing those special moments.'' ''I want to thank my fans from the bottom of my heart. 'Sachin, Sachin' will reverberate in my ears till I stop breathing.''
19:51 IST, November 16th 2019