Mumbai: The memories you (the fans) have left with me will always be with me forever and ever, especially 'Sachin, Sachin' which will reverber- ate in my ears till I stop breathing.
Following is the text of Sachin Tendulkar's farewell speech, delivered at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai after retiring from cricket on Saturday:
My life, between 22 yards for 24 years, it is hard to believe that that won derful journey has come 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 in my life I am carrying this list, to remember all the names in case I forget someone. I hope you understand. It's getting a little bit difficult to talk but I will manage.
FATHER TOLD ME TO CHASE MY DREAMS 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 have been standing here in front of you. He gave me freedom at the age of 11, and told me that [I should] chase my dreams, but make sure you do not find short cuts. The path might 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 will continue to do and try my best. Every time I have done something special [and] showed my bat, it was [for] my father.
MOTHER RAJNI'S SACRIFICES My mother, I don't know how she dealt with such a naughty child like me. I was not easy to manage. She must be extremely patient. For a mother, the most important thing is that her child remains safe and healthy and fit.
That was what she was most bothered and worried about. She took care of me for the last 24 years that 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 given me the strength to go out and perform, so a big thank you to my mother for all the sacrifices.
In 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 I could go again and play tomorrow.
I can't forget these moments.
SWEET SIBLINGS 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 is that whatever you do, I know you will always give it 100%, and that I have full faith and confidence 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. It was a Kashmir wil low bat. But that is where the journey began. She is one of those many who still continue to fast when I bat, so thank you very much.
Ajit, my brother, now what do I talk about him? I don't know. 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 Archrekar sir, my coach, and from there on my life changed. You will find this hard to believe but even last night he called to discuss my dismissal, knowing that there was a remote chance of batting again, but just the habit we have developed, the rapport we have developed, since my birth, has continued and it will continue.
Maybe when I'm not playing cricket we will still be discussing technique.
Various things we agreed upon, my technique, and so many technical things which I didn't agree with him, we have had arguments and disagreements, but when I look back at all these things in my life, I would have been a lesser cricketer.
ANJALI, THE BEST PARTNERSHIP I HAVE HAD The most beautiful thing happened to me in 1990 when I met my wife, Anjali. Those were special years and it has continued and 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 stress. Thanks for bearing with all my fuss and all my frustrations, and all sorts of rubbish that I have spoken. Thanks for bearing with me and always staying by my side through all the ups and downs.
You are the best partnership I've had in my life.
REST OF THE LIFE IS FOR SARA AND ARJUN Then, the two precious dia monds of my life, Sara and Arjun.
They have already grown up. My daughter is 16, my son is 14. Time has flown by . I wanted to spend so much time with them on special occasions like their birthdays, their annual days, their sports day, going on holidays, whatever. I have missed out on all those things.
Thanks for your understanding .
Both of you have been so, so special to me you cannot imagine. I promise you [that] for 14 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.
In the last 24 years that I have played for India I have made new friends, and before that I have had friends from my childhood. They have all had a terrific contribution. As and when I have called them to come and bowl to me at the nets, they have left their work aside to come and help me.
Be it joining me on holidays and having discussions with me on cricket, or how I was a little stressed and wanting to find a solution so I can perform better.
FANTASTIC FANS 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.
All those moments my friends were with me. Even for when I was injured, I would wake up in the morning because I couldn't sleep and thought that my career was over because of injuries, that is when my friends have woken up at 3 o'clock in the morning to drive with me and make me believe that my career was not over. Life would be incomplete without all those friends. Thanks for being there for me.
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 will be witnessing cricket, and cricket will always stay in my heart, but you have had an immense contribution in my life, so thank you very much.
FRIENDS FOR EVER We see it on the mega-screen, Rahul, Laxman, Sourav, and Anil, who is not here, and my teammates 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 M.S. 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.
I would be failing in my duties if I did not thank all the doctors, the physios, the trainers, who have put this diffi cult 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.
MARK OF RESPECT 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 pressurised me to do this ad or promotion or whatever the sponsors demanded. He today I miss him, so thank you Mark for all your contribution.
In my school days, when I performed well, the media backed me a lot. They continue to do that till this morning. Thank you s 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 pho tographers as well for those wonderfully 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 0 or a 100-plus.
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 . Thank you very much. If I have missed out on saying something, I hope you understand. Goodbye.
WANKHEDE CHATTER 'Well played,' the message Sachin wants to hear On Saturday, Sachin Tendulkar not only became the first sportsperson to be conferred the Bharat Ratna but also the youngest. His stunning career ended with a plethora of records including the once unimaginable feat of 200 Test caps. The Mumbai bomber, who made his Test debut exactly 25 years ago also has 100 international centuries, 164 fifties and a staggering 34,357 runs. The numbers alone speak volumes of his longevity but the run-machine's only wish now is to get a stamp of approval from his guru Ramakant Achrekar. Despite being regarded as the greatest cricketer ever, Achrekar has never complimented his famous pupil fearing he may get complacent.
“He is not done yet. He will be a restless kid until his coach agrees that he has done justice to his talent. Those two words matter the most to him,“ said a source close to the family. 'I feared my father would get heart attack' Close family members, friends and former team-members of Sachin Tendulkar were all in attendance on Sachin Tendulkar's final day with the Indian cricket team but one person conspicuous by absence at the Wankhede Stadium was his childhood coach. Ramakant Achrekar's daughter Kalpana later revealed that she feared the worse and thus left her father at home. “He was really enjoying Sachin's knock of 74 runs on Friday. He was clapping the loudest. I didn't feel he was ready to see Sachin bid adieu to his game. I feared he may even get a heart attack and hence did get him along,“said Achrekar's daughter.
She added that her father felt Tendulkar should have continued. “He said he did not spot any change in Sachin yesterday. It was same as he batted first time. He felt Sachin could have easily continued for two more years.“
Sachin's mother could not hold back tears Sachin Tendulkar's mother Rajni had never seen her son play before and when she finally did, she could not hold back her tears. Seated in the President's Box, Tendulkar's wheel-chaired bound mother got emotional seeing her youngest son receive a grand farewell. It was the first time in over a year that she had stepped out of the house. When the “Little Master“ was taking a lap of the ground, memories of a young Sachin rushed through her mind. “She cried when Sachin made that speech. She remembered the days when she used to fast for him. She said after every tour, she did a small pooja before welcoming him into their home,“ said a family friend of the Tendulkars. “Sachin came up to meet her later. He told her mom that he ould come home late in the evening and spend time with her.“ The batting great did not break the team protocol and left with the team.
