Letter to Sachin Tendulkar
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Dear Sachin,
I have always thought that I should write to you some day. But every time I attempted to do so, I got overcome with emotions and the words just stopped flowing.
But today, I have embarked on this arduous task of pouring out my thoughts to you.
The first time I got a glimpse of you playing for India was during the 2003 World Cup. India were taking on Pakistan in an all important Super Six clash, and they needed to score a tricky 274 to win the match.
Pakistan boasted of fiery pacers including Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Shoaib Akhtar, and I remember you looking up skywards and entering the ground, the bat tucked under your arm, along with Virender Sehwag.
That first boundary you hit off Akram showed your intent. The ball was nearly perfect - pitching on off stump and coming in a fraction. But you beautifully rose on your toes, and just punched the ball past cover.
And of course, that murderous assault against Akhtar….
I know that I should not use the word murderous while describing your stroke play, because it was always as smooth as the flow of a stream. But then again, you just brutalized Akhtar on that day.
All of us have, time and again, raved about that slashed six you hit off Akhtar over backward point. But for me, the shot of the match was the straight drive you hit off him in the same over. Your timing was divine, Sachin.
And when you were dismissed for 98 after allowing India to register a famous win, I remember telling my grandfather - “What a knock by Sachin, Grandpa!”.
I don’t know if this letter will ever reach you, but if it does, I would consider myself extremely lucky.
You know Sachin, I have never met you in person even once. But some day, if I get the chance to do so, I would just want to say three words to you - THANK YOU SACHIN!
Thank you, for making my childhood awesome.
From an ardent fan of yours
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