What is the similarity between Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar, Dilip Vengsarkar, Imran Khan & Wasim Akram?? . Apart from the fact that, these all are Asians, is the bitter truth that, all these stalwarts have been at the receiving end of the public wrath & apathy, in spite of their selfless contributions to their respective countries & to the game of cricket, in particular.
It’s true that in Asian countries, cricket is more than just a game/sport. It’s a religion & those who play it at the highest level are no less than the God’s residing in the Heavens above. There are always two sides of a coin, it’s said. Apart from the name, fame, glory these cricketing celebrities wage a relentless battle against public criticism, constant fear of failure, loneliness (especially on long tours), rejection, frustration (being away from family for months together ) & much-much more than we, as common people can even think of…
However, one may argue, that, all of the above all needs to be taken for granted once u r a Professional, be it in any profession, especially so, when u deal not in lakhs, but in multiples of crores of rupees!!!. It’s no wonder, that, Sachin Tendulkar has been a subject of constant & abject criticism for his “Tennis elbow” & much awaited comeback. It’s nothing new for a child prodigy who began his international career against our arch rivals - Pakistan in 1989 at Faizlabad (Pakistan) at a tender age of 16 yrs., facing the likes of Imran khan in his prime & devastating form as usual, Wasim Akram who was fast emerging as the ‘Sultan of Swing’ & another debutant Waqar Younis who incidentally ruthlessly bounced him. But he was unruffled. There’s a wonderful one -liner in one of the Bond movies (Pierce Brosnan’s enacted - ‘Die another day’) which aptly sums up how sachin was on that tour of Pakistan. It say’s: “Shaken but not stirred”. His name itself inspires confidence; his mere presence on the field reassures victory, one that lifts sagging spirits and all this apart, from being the most devastating batsman India & the entire cricketing fraternity has seen till date after the Greatest “Sir Don Bradman” himself.
However, public memory is short lived, they say. He has been showered upon with undue criticism as being more ‘Individualistic’ rather than a ‘Team Man’. His elbow injury has raised many eyebrows, all of whom trying to put across their own view point & get much acclaimed recognition in the process. Recently, on getting out cheaply in Mumbai he was booed by the crowd! But this is not the first time that such an incident has occurred with a Mumbai lad. Sunil Gavaskar & Dilip Vengsarkar have been thro’ this, as well. How can we forget that famous Port-Of-Spain (West Indies) chase sculpted by ‘Sunny?’ or the 221 at Oval against England, 1979, that weren’t enough to see India home? How many of us remember that Dilip Vengsarkar till date holds the record for being the only person to score 3 consecutive hundred’s at the Mecca of cricket, the Lord’s?? How can we even think of side lining Sachin’s 148* (not out) against Australia in WACA, Perth (which is considered to be a batsman’s nightmare due to its steep bounce & venomous pace off the pitch) against Mervin Hughes/Craig McDermott or the back to back 143, 134 against Australia in Sharjah 1998 or 136 in Chennai Vs. Pakistan in 1998-99, that India lost by a narrow margin of just 13 runs!!.
This criticism has not even spared our neighbors, rather our arch rivals - Pakistan! Those who follow cricket closely in Asia cannot forget the spells of Doom that Paki bowlers had, notably against India. Imran Khan for his 11 for 69 vs. India at Karachi 1982-83, 11 for 180 & 117 at Faisalabad (Pak), 1982-83 & 12 for 165 vs. Australia in 1976-77. Wasim Akram for his 6 for 62 vs. Australia in Melbourne,1989-90 & Waqar Younis for his 12 for 130 vs. New Zealand in Faisalabad (Pak), 1990-91. In spite of all this & more, how were they treated? Same as we treated our heroes!! Wasim’s house was stoned immediately after their loss to India in world cup quarters in 1996, after he pulled out of that match 10 mins. before the toss, due to injury. Imran was at the receiving end of heavy & unjustified criticism after their heavy loss to India in 1979-80 series in India. The saga does not end here. The Waugh brothers’ (Steve & Mark) were forced unceremonious & untimely exits in spite of performing consistently in both versions of the game, time and over again.
It’s high time that, we as avid sport lovers, read cricket lovers, show some patience, respect & dignity to our heroes. After all, they too are humans’ with their share of sorrows, frustrations, dejections & emotions & personal life! By the time this article is out, maybe Sachin would be back to what he’s known to do best or rather expected to do, by his fans all over the world – score runs at will against the best, in all testing & trying conditions. ‘Easier said than done’, we fail to understand or accept the fact that, Sachin is no longer that 16 yr. Old lad that used to plunder runs, hook , pull or cream the most fiercest of bowlers at ease. He may be 30+, but with
so much cricket, starting at such a tender age & that too, at the highest level is sure to take its toll on his body. But still he isn’t just finished, there’s a lot more in store. By the time he decides to hang up his boots, he would have broken many records, reached many unsurpassable milestones & yet be so humble & down to earth. What more do we expect from such a great player & a gem of a person?
Not all are as fortunate, as most of us are, for having played cricket at Galli/Club level, having experienced the technicalities, the highs, the lows & intricacies of the game, I, like some few fortunate souls was lucky enough to learn & play cricket at Shivaji Park, the place which witnessed some of the greats of Indian Cricket such as: Sandeep Patil, Suresh Wadekar, Sunil Gavaskar, Dilip Vengsarkar, Sanjay Manjrekar, Rohan Kanhai, Pravin Amre, Ravi Shastri, Farookh Engineer… & greatest of them all – Sachin Tendulkar. Of all the people in the world, why should cricketers be booed? If at all anyone deserves booing or probably much more than that, are the corrupt politicians/officials who so called run/ manage this ‘Gentleman’s Game’, without having played the game, themselves!!
Not so while ago, Mr. Sanjay Manjrekar sparked off a row by some controversial statements about Sachin’s come back & his injury, in particular. What he said or meant to say is still unclear, but with all due respects to Mr. Manjrekar for whatever he has done & been doing for the game, this was least expected from a person, who first happens to be a Mumbai Lad, second has played with Sachin & last but not the least, had been a mentor to Sachin on his debut series in Pakistan in 1989. Especially considering Manjrekar’s heroics in ’89 Pak tour amassing 569 runs with an average 94.83 against a hostile Imran, wily Wasim & the ‘Burrewala Bomber’ Waqar on his debut was bowling toe-crunching Yorkers at a blistering pace. Differences/rifts in the dressing room must remain within the walls of the dressing room & should not be brought out in the open & definitely not in this manner. Offending/hurting Sachin may not be his motive, but this episode is definitely going to leave behind sore relations & bitter hearts. To boo any sports- person, let alone our own sons of the soil, does not auger well for us, Mumbaikar’s. Let us show some resilience & faith in our heroes & let them perform to their level best in every sport, particularly cricket & vow that such a thing won’t be repeated ever after again…..
With best regards,
Yogesh Jamkhindikar
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