'It's hard to believe my wonderful journey is coming to an end'

In his long and illustrious career Sachin Tendulkar was a man of few words, and even fewer emotions. However, even as he retired from international cricket he could neither hold back his emotions nor restrict himself to a small speech. Here is what he had to say.

"All my friends settle down… let me talk. I will get more and more emotional!

My life between 22 yards for 24 years, it's hard to believe that the wonderful journey is coming to an end. But I would like to take this opportunity to thank people who have played an important role in my life.

Also, for the first time I am carrying a list to remember all the names in case I forget someone. I hope you understand. It is getting little difficult, but I will manage.

The most important person in my life, and I have missed him a lot since 1999 when he passed away, my father. Without his guidance I don’t think I would be standing in front of you. He gave me freedom at the age of 11 and told me that 'chase your dreams but make you don’t find shortcuts. The path will be difficult but don’t give up'. And I have simply followed his instructions. Above all, he told me to be a nice human being which I have continued to do so. I have tired my best. Every time I have done something special, whenever I have shown my bat, it was for my father; so I miss him today.

My mother, I don't know how she dealt with a naughty child like me, I was not easy to manage; she must have been extremely patient. For a mother, the most important thing is her child remains safe and healthy and fit, and that is what she was most bothered about and worried about. She took good care of me for the last 24 years I have played for India, but even before that she started praying for me.

The day I started playing cricket, she just prayed and prayed and I think her prayers and blessings have me given me the strength to go out and perform. So a big thank you to my mother for all the sacrifices.

During my school days, for four years I stayed with my uncle and aunt because my school was quite far from my home and they treated me like their son. My aunt, after having had a hard day’s play, I would be half asleep and she would be feeding me food so that I could go and play again tomorrow. I can’t forget these moments. I am like their son and I am glad that it has continued to be the same way.

My eldest brother Nitin and his family have always encouraged me. My eldest brother doesn't like to talk much, but the one thing he always told me was that whatever you do, I know you would give 100 per cent and I have full confidence and faith in you. His encouragement meant a lot to me.

My sister Savita and her family was no different. The first cricket bat of my life was presented to me by my sister Savita. It was a Kashmir willow bat, but that is where the journey began. She is one of those many who still continues to fast when I bat, so thank you very much.

Ajit my brother… now what do I talk about him?

We have lived this dream together; he was the one who sacrificed his career for my cricket. He spotted the spark in me and it all started from the age of 11 when he took me to [Ramakant] Achrekar Sir, my coach, and from thereon my life changed. You will find this hard to believe that even last night he called me and we were discussing my dismissal knowing that there was a remote chance of me batting again, but just that the habit we have developed, the rapport we have developed since my birth, and it has continued and it will continue. Maybe, even when I am not playing cricket we will still be discussing technique.

There were various things we agreed upon, my technique, and so many technical things I didn’t agree with him; we had arguments and disagreements, but in the end, when I look back at all those things, if that wouldn’t have happened in my life, I would have been a lesser cricketer.

The most beautiful thing happened to me in 1990 when I met my wife Anjali. Those were special years and it has continued and it will always continue that way. I know Anjali being a doctor there was a wonderful career in front of her. When we decided to have a family, Anjali took the initiative to step back and say that ‘you continue with your cricket and I will take the responsibility of the family’. Without that I don’t think I would have been able to play cricket freely and without any stress.

Thanks for bearing with all my fuss, all my frustrations and all sort of rubbish I have spoken… I normally do. Thanks for being with me and always staying by my side through the ups and downs in my life; you have been the best partnership I have had in my life.

Then, the two precious diamonds of my life -- Sara and Arjun. They have already grown up; my daughter is 16 and my son is 14… time has flown by. I wanted to spend so much time with them on special occasions, like birthdays, annual days, sports days, going on holidays. I have missed out on all those. Thanks for your understanding, both of you; you have been so, so special to me… you can’t imagine. I promise you for the 14 years and 16 years I have not spent enough time with both of you, but the next 16 years or even beyond that, everything is for you.

My in-laws… Anand Mehta and Annabel, both have been so supportive, loving, caring. I have discussed various things on life generally with them and have taken their advice. It is very important to have a strong family always with you, guiding you. Before you start clapping, the most important thing they did was allowing me to marry Anjali; so thank you very much.

In the last 24 years that I have played I have made new friends and before that I have had friends from my childhood. They have all made terrific contributions as and when I have called them to come and bowl to me in the nets; they have left all their work aside and come and helped me. Be it joining me on holidays or having discussions on cricket when I was little stressed and wanting to find a solution so that I could perform better. All those moments my friends were there with me. Even when I was injured I would wake up in the morning because I could not sleep, I thought my career was over because of injuries. That’s when my friends have woken up at 3 am in the morning to drive with me and make me believe that my career is not over.

Life would be incomplete without all those friends. Thanks for being there for me.

My cricket career started when I was 11. The turning point in my career was when my brother took me to Achrekar Sir, my coach. I was extremely delighted to see him up in the stands. Normally, he sits in front of the television and watches all the games that I play. When I was 11 or 12, those days, when I used to hop back on his scooter and play a couple of practice matches… the first half of the innings I would be batting in Shivaji Park, the second half some other match at Azad Maidan… all over Mumbai, to make sure that I got match practice.

On a lighter note, in the last 29 years Sir has never ever said 'well-played' to me, because he thought I would get complacent and I would stop working hard. Maybe, he can push his luck and wish me now 'well done on my career', because there are no more matches Sir in my life. I would be witnessing cricket and cricket will always stay in my heart; you have had an immense contribution in my life. Thank you very much.

My cricket for Mumbai started right here on this ground. Mumbai Cricket Association is so dear to me. I remember landing from New Zealand at four O'clock in the morning and turning up for a game at eight O'clock here just because I wanted to be a part of Mumbai Cricket, not because anyone forced me or Mumbai Cricket Association pressurised me. That was because of my love for Mumbai cricket. So thank you very much to the president who is here, and your team for taking care of me and looking after my cricket.

The dream was obviously to play for India, and that is where my association with BCCI [Board of Control for Cricket in India] started. BCCI was fantastic. Right from my debut they believed in my ability, and selecting me into the squad at the age of 16 was a big step. So thanks to all the selectors for having faith in me and the BCCI for giving me the freedom to express myself out in the middle. Things would have been different if you had not been behind me, and I really appreciate your support, especially when I was injured; you were right with me, making sure that all the treatments were taken care of, and that I got fit and fine and playing [right] back for India.

The journey has been special the last 24 years. I have played with many senior cricketers, and even before that there were many senior cricketers whom I watched on television. They inspired me to play cricket, and to play in the right way. Thanks to all those senior cricketers, and, unfortunately, I have not been able to play with them, but I have high regards for all their achievements and all their contributions.

We see it on the mega-screen... Rahul [Dravid], [VVS] Laxman, Sourav [Ganguly], and Anil [Kumble], who is not here, and my team-mates right here in front me. You are like my family away from home. I have had some wonderful times with you. It is going to be difficult to not be part of the dressing room, sharing those special moments. All the coaches for their guidance, it has been special for me.

I know when MS Dhoni presented me the 200th Test match cap on day one morning, I had a brief message for the team. I would like to repeat that. I just feel that all of us are so, so fortunate and proud to be part of the Indian cricket team and serving the nation. Knowing all of you guys, I know you will continue to serve the nation in the right spirit and right values. I believe we have been the lucky ones to be chosen by the Almighty to serve this sport. Each generation gets this opportunity to take care of this sport and serve it to the best of our ability. I have full faith in you to continue to serve the nation in the right spirit and to the best of your ability, to bring all the laurels to the country. All the very best.

I would be failing in my duties if I did not thank all the doctors, the physios, the trainers, who have put this difficult body together to go back on the field and be able to play. The amount of injuries that I have had in my career, I don't know how you have managed to keep me fit, but without your special efforts, it would never have happened. The doctors have met me at weird hours. I mean, I have called them from Mumbai to Chennai, Mumbai to Delhi, I mean, wherever. They have just taken the next flight and left their work and families to be with me, which has allowed me to play. So a big thank you to all three of you for keeping me in good shape.

My dear friend, late Mark Mascarenhas, my first manager. We unfortunately lost him in a car accident in 2001, but he was such a well-wisher of cricket, my cricket, and especially Indian cricket. He was so passionate. He understood what it takes to represent a nation and gave me all the space to go out and express myself, and never pressurized me to do this ad or promotion or whatever the sponsors demanded. He took care of that and today I miss him; so thank you Mark for all your contribution.

My current management team, WSG [World Sports Group], for repeating what Mark has done, because when I signed the contract I exactly told them what I want from them, and what it requires to represent me. They have done that and respected that. Someone who has worked closely with me for 14 years is my manager, Vinod Nayudu. He is more like my family and all the sacrifices, spending time away from his family for my work, has been special; so big thank you to his family as well for giving up so much time for my work with Vinod.

In my school days, when I performed well, the media backed me a lot. They continue to do that till this morning. Thank you so much to the media for supporting and appreciating my performances. It surely had a positive effect on me. Thank you so much to all the photographers as well for those wonderful captured moments that will stay with me for the rest of my life, so a big thank you to all the photographers.

I know my speech is getting a bit too long, but this is the last thing I want to say. I want to thank all the people here who have flown in from various parts of the world, and have supported me endlessly, whether I scored a zero or a hundred-plus. Your support was so dear to me and meant a lot to me. Whatever you have done for me.

I know I have met so many guys who have fasted for me, prayed for me, done so much for me. Without that, life wouldn't have been like this for me. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart, and also say that time has flown by rather quickly, but the memories you have left with me will always be with me forever and ever, especially 'Sachin, Sachin', which will reverberate in my ears till I stop breathing.

Thank you very much.

If I have missed out on saying something, I hope you understand.

Goodbye."

Photograph: BCCI