So Sachin Tendulkar is getting more and more human now, ironically coinciding with the discovery of the 'God' particle. Why do I say this now? Because more and more people have started talking and writing about something which was considered blasphemy a few years ago!
Sachin withdrawing himself from the upcoming Srilanka tour has added more fuel to the debate which started with THAT ('slow') century and the retirement of Rahul Dravid. Whether or not Sachin should quit. The reasons they say - him preferring the 100th-hundred match against Bangladesh and the IPL over the Srilanka tour, making him look selfish and choosy, of BCCI giving in to his whims and fancies.
Should Sachin quit? Well, this question was raised or rather demanded by Ian Chappel nearly 6-7 years ago. Sachin had taken it upon himself to answer that and he sure did. So even now let us leave the choice to him. Oh and about the BCCI intervention, neither did they intervene with Ganguly or Kumble, nor with Dravid. If not more, Sachin is at least in the same ranks as these gentlemen.
Now about Sachin missing the tour to Srilanka. My guess is, either he is too bored of it or maybe thinking that in the next 1-2 years he can definitely tour it 2-3 times. On a more serious note, this Srilankan tour is clearly not bigger than the IPL or the Asia Cup.
Moreover regarding the IPL, it is an exhibition of cricket on the international stage. There have been former legends who have come out of retirement to play in it. Isn't it only fair that Sachin plays in it? There was a time when you could point your finger at the IPL and say it is spoiling cricket. Not any more. The IPL is not the root of all evil in Indian cricket. There might be corrupt people involved with it but it is in no way deteriorating the talent out of people. Our players have problems of their own. Barring one person, not a single batsman could negotiate the moving ball in England or the pace and bounce in Australia. The IPL is not responsible for that. Virender Sehwag is yet to mature and learn to play outside the sub-continent. That is not because of the IPL. Suresh Raina has evolved into a very good batsman. But he still hasn't learnt to play the short-ball, despite the whole world laughing at him. That is not due to the IPL. So there are graver concerns for Indian cricket rather than the IPL.
Lastly, how did all these negative adjectives once never even thought off with respect to Sachin, surface? How could someone even doubt his patriotism? That is definitely not something I associate with someone who flew back to England, scored a century and put India back to winning ways in the World Cup, just a couple of days after losing his father. There are few people who love their batting so much that they would relinquish the national captaincy to improve it. And about him being choosy, it becomes slightly necessary when you are nearing 40 years of age (add to it 23 years of cricket). India have learnt to play without Sachin, and have enough members in the squad to compete in the next World Cup. So Sachin's one spot does not trouble the future planning as much. And every time he has walked out into the middle, he has made that moment brighter for you. So cheer up. Be thankful that we can still see him play.
While all of you are still discussing about giving him the Bharat Ratna, stop complaining he was selfish during that hundredth hundred and rather gift that ton to him for his other 99. He will surely be more happy than receiving the Bharat Ratna.
Oh and dear Sachin, you know how my respect will grow more for you? Take that mic and announce that all this while you've played for the country without thinking about the records. But you just want that one more century to complete 50 ODI centuries. I'll be in the front row, standing and saluting you!
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