Sachin Tendulkar dedicated his 41st Test century that powered India's sensational six-wicket victory against England in Chennai on Monday to Mumbaikars recovering after the terror attacks and provided the balm hoping his ton will give "some happiness to them."
"I dedicate this century to the people of Mumbai," the batting maestro said, adding "cricket cannot lessen whatever happened... I hope this 100 will give some amount of happiness to the people."
Tendulkar however said that by no means he is trying to say that his 41st century and Indian victory will make "everyone forget what happened in Mumbai" especially after what the hapless Mumbaikars had to face after the carnage.
Tendulkar, who provided the finishing flourishes in a tension-filled match to score an unbeaten 103, said, "I think it was a very, very important hundred because, I always say that if the team wins, then the hundred becomes very special and today this hundred was very important."
"But cricket is a lesser thing compared to what happened in Mumbai and we are with those who lost their dear ones."
"What happened in Mumbai was extremely unfortunate and it will be hard to recover," Tendulkar said, adding, "we are right with the people who lost their near and dear ones."
The batting icon said he would like to thank England for coming back to play Test cricket and people are again enjoying cricket the way it is meant to be.
The Mumbai terror attacks cast it shadow over the two Test cricket series between England and India and the matches were nearly abandoned over security concerns raised by the visitors.
The English team flew back home after cancelling the last two matches of a limited-overs series it had already lost 5-0.
The Test series went ahead only after the Tests were moved to venues--Chennai and Mohali-- which were considered acceptable to England's security team.
"I don't think by India winning or my scoring 100 people who have lost their loved ones would feel better. I think it is a terrible loss for all of them and our hearts are with them. All I can say is whatever manner we can contribute to make them better we'll make that effort," said Tendulkar, the all-time leading scorer in both Tests and one-day cricket.
"I thank those who stood up to the terrorists and who made sure that they were captured or shot dead as the terrorists were many"
"I salute the NSG commandos, Taj hotel staff, police, public, firemen, navy and everyone," he said paying tributes to the terror victims and saluted those who saved the lives of others.