Mumbai: Sachin Tendulkar struggled to hold back the tears as he soaked up the unconditional veneration of an Indian crowd for the last time when the sun set on the master batsman's glittering 24-year career two years ago on this day.
Sachin Tendulkar walks out for his 200th and final Test. (Photo: BCCI)
Sachin Tendulkar walks off the pitch with a stump as a memento. (Photo: BCCI)
After his side completed the formalities of an easy victory over West Indies, Tendulkar collected a stump as a memento and slowly made his way through a mobile guard of honour formed by his teammates, head bowed and struggling to hide his emotions.
Sachin Tendulkar is given a guard of honour. (Photo: BCCI)
Fans line up outside the Wankhede for Sachin Tendulkar's final Test. (Photo: BCCI)
Sachin Tendulkar walks down the pavilion. (Photo: BCCI)
As television coverage broadcast images of a huge banner in the stands proclaiming "Legends Never Retire", the 40-year-old Tendulkar shook hands with opposing players and staff before climbing the stairs leading to the dressing room.
Sachin Tendulkar awaits the presentation with family and friends. (Photo: BCCI)
Sachin Tendulkar shares a private moment with his family. (Photo: BCCI)
Tendulkar later returned with his wife Anjali, daughter Sara and son Arjun to make a moving and humble farewell speech at the presentation ceremony before completing a lap of honour on the shoulders of his teammates.
Sachin Tendulkar with his children. (Photo: BCCI)
"All my friends settle down, let me talk. I will get more and more emotional," he said, his voice almost drowned by chants of "Sachin, Sachin" reverberating around his hometown Wankhede Stadium.
Former BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel presents Sachin Tendulkar with a portrait. (Photo: BCCI)
"It's getting little difficult to talk but I'll manage."
Sachin Tendulkar obliges media persons with autographs. (Photo: BCCI)
A solemn Tendulkar spoke for more than 20 minutes as the 32,000-strong crowd listened intently with hands folded as if in prayer and eyes moist with tears.
Sachin Tendulkar is carried on a lap of honour around the Wankhede. (Photo: BCCI)
A day after the anniversary of his international debut against Pakistan in Karachi in 1989 as a mop-haired 16-year-old, Tendulkar finished his career as the sport's most prolific international run-scorer.
The crowd at Wankhede gives Sachin Tendulkar an emotional send-off. (Photo: BCCI)
He leaves the game after playing more test matches (200), scoring the most test (15,921) and one-day international (18,426) runs, and compiling more test (51) and one-day (49) hundreds than any other player in cricket history.
Sachin Tendulkar walks off the pitch to a rousing ovation. (Photo: BCCI)
Emotional Speech
"My life's been 22 yards for 24 years. It's hard to believe that wonderful journey is coming to an end," he said, going on to thank his family, friends and all the people associated with his career.
Sachin Tendulkar raises his bat on reaching his fifty. (Photo: BCCI)
A perfect role model for the country's youth and the sport worldwide with his impeccable image on and off the field, Tendulkar offered a rare glimpse into his fiercely private family life through the speech.
Sachin Tendulkar bids farewell. (Photo: BCCI)
"The most beautiful thing happened to me in 1990 when I met my wife Anjali," Tendulkar said, addressing his wife as she wept uncontrollably. "I know Anjali being a doctor, there was a wonderful career in front of her.”
Sachin Tendulkar leads the team out to the middle. (Photo: BCCI)
"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 responsibility of the family'.
Sachin Tendulkar pays his respects to the Wankhede strip. (Photo: BCCI)
"Without that, I don't think I would have been able to play cricket freely and without any stress. You are the best partnership I've had in my life."
The Indian players line up for a team photograph. (Photo: BCCI)
Such was India's dominance that Tendulkar was only required to bat once in his final Test, scoring a stylish 74, but he did get to bowl a couple of overs on Saturday to at least play an active role in his last day of duty.
Bowling Repertoire
Sachin Tendulkar tries to his magic with the ball. (Photo: PTI)
Responding to chants of "We want Sachin, We want Sachin" from the packed stadium, India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni tossed the ball to Tendulkar, who delighted his home fans with a brief bowling cameo in his 200th Test match.
A lady holds a playcard of Sachin Tendulkar. (Photo: BCCI)
A crowd-pleasing wicket was not forthcoming but he did show off a full repertoire of deliveries, offering leg-spin, off-spin and an immaculate googly which tail-ender Shane Shillingford somehow fended away.
Sachin Tendulkar leads the players off the pitch. (Photo: BCCI)
The regular bowlers returned to finish off a match that will be largely forgotten as a contest but remembered as a fitting farewell for a man who may be small in stature but cast a giant shadow of greatness over cricket in India and beyond.
Tendulkar said he had a simple message for his teammates and all those aspiring to represent the country when Dhoni presented him with the special cap to mark his farewell.
"I feel all of us are so fortunate and proud to be part of the Indian cricket team, serving the nation," Tendulkar added, seeking to pass the baton on to the next generation.
34,357 runs, 100 100s, 164 50s - #OnThisDay in 2013, @sachin_rt finished his extraordinary international career pic.twitter.com/hjkHrBdTXr
— ICC (@ICC) November 16, 2015"I know you will continue to serve the nation in the right spirit, the right values. Each generation gets this opportunity to merely take care of this sport and serve it to the best of our ability."
Today 26 years ago: Sachin Tendulkar, then aged 16, made his Test debut at the National Stadium at Karachi.... pic.twitter.com/MCde007v1W
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) November 15, 2015In a fitting and final tribute, Tendulkar returned to the 22-yard strip of land that has defined his life and career to perform a 'Dandavata', an Indian form of respect requiring one to bow the forehead and stoop to touch the ground.
Watch Sachin Tendulkar's full speech at Wankhede here:
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