The Gods, they envy Him!

How difficult is it to abstain from something you have been doing for more than three quarters of your life? How difficult is it to part with the force which has been driving you since the moment you can think of? The answer is beyond my intellect and most of us cannot even fathom the pain one will have to go through when the aforementioned happens.

And that makes the decision all the more difficult for Sachin Tendulkar. I have grown up watching him, he is the reason why I started watching and following the game. Having evolved on the staple diet of Tendulkar’s tons I have developed a sense of attachment towards him. And I am sure many won’t deny embracing the same feeling as me.

Tendulkar has been an icon for me all through my life, a few bad innings and a potential dismal retirement won’t harm any of his reputation. He is a hero for us Indians, he added the much needed element of excitement in the lives of people growing up in the 90s, he gave us something we can be passionate about and eventually be proud of.

With his deteriorating fitness and broadening daylight between his bat and pads I am afraid the writing is on the wall, and even Tendulkar knows it. The mortal in him seems to be getting the better of the God at the moment, the flesh and blood is giving in; and the inevitable will soon prevail. But amidst the entire hullabaloo he rightfully deserves to be the one who decides when to close the gates.