I have no choice but to put my disappointment aside and appreciate what an historic moment I was lucky and privileged to witness. At all the sporting events I have been present at in the past, I normally pick myself up and head for the exit before the mad rush and ensuing traffic.I did the same here after I was given the opportunity to felicitate and commemorate the occasion of Shivnarine Chanderpaul's 150th Test match and, of course, Sachin Tendulkar's outstanding career coming to an end on his 200th Test match.
I was sent with a short message to deliver on behalf of the people of T&T and that was to say "Thank you" to two outstanding individuals. I handed over to Sachin and Shiv two steelpans, my country's national instrument.
I headed for the gates but then suddenly stopped, turned around and headed back to the players' pavilion, thinking how crazy could I be to miss this special occasion. Try visiting Old Trafford when Manchester United is playing–the atmosphere is as electrifying, but for me, someone who played with the man, it had that much more meaning.
To hear "SACHIN, SACHIN," one last time, from the most emotional crowd I have seen in an after-match presentation, was an extra special experience. His speech, recognising and thanking everyone from his late dad to the simple man and child on the streets came from his heart.
I finally walked away from the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai yesterday only now fully aware of the impact that Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar had on his country.To everyone from the most powerful in the country to the vendors on the streets, he has been a champion. This man has been a pillar of strength to the Indians who are trying to forge their country into the next powerhouse. He has given a self-belief to the Indians who face adversities in everyday life as they try to make things better for their families.
Most importantly he has been a pillar of hope to the Indians on the streets, bringing a smile to their faces when there is not much to smile about.Am I disappointed, as a West Indian? Not any more! I'm now eternally grateful to have had the opportunity to be here, and that was partly because the West Indies were chosen as the opposition for these two Test matches.
His last innings which started late on Thursday evening and ended just after the drinks break on Friday morning, embodied for me all that this great game called cricket, and batsmanship, have given us. He started sound in technique and played some glorious shots when the opportunity presented itself. He looked a man in charge and unstoppable, until his propensity for modern-day strokes got the better of him–late-cutting on a bouncy track has always been a dangerous one to execute.
His final walk from the middle with bat in hand was brisk; head held high, he spun around and thanked the world one last time. The 101st-century celebrations we were planning had to be shelved, but that has now become insignificant in a career that is beyond comparisons.Shabbash Sachin!!
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