Photographs: BCCI Rediff Sports Desk
The ‘God of cricket’ has decided to hang his boots after his 200th Test. Though talk about it was around for quite some time, and his countless fans could sense it coming, when the announcement finally came from the man himself, all were shocked.
Like all good things come to an end, Sachin Tendulkar will walk into the sunset in next month’s home series against the West Indies.
The West Indies tour of India was hastily arranged, perhaps, to allow the batting legend to sign off at home. The tour, which begins on October 31 and concludes November 27, will comprise two Tests and three One-day Internationals apart from a three-day warm-up game.
The series will provide Tendulkar a chance to complete the historic milestone of playing 200 Tests in front of home fans.
For an entertainer, and the highest run-scorer, who has been on the scene for almost a quarter of a century, his last hurrah should ideally have been against the No 1 Test side, South Africa. Maybe the BCCI did not want Tendulkar to face Dale Steyn at the age of 40!
Whatever be the reason, the ‘easy’ series against the Windies could be an anti-climax to the run-machine’s career.
Fellow-countryman Rahul Dravid had a memorable retirement, against Australia in Adelaide; Ricky Ponting retired playing against South Africa, while former England captain Andrew Strauss too retired against the Proteas.
Has the BCCI chalked out an easy way out for Tendulkar? Does it befit the legend?
Tell Us!
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