Retired sports stars often struggle to build a life away from the game, but for record-breaking cricketer Sachin Tendulkar the transition will be particularly painful.
The Indian batsman admitted he never imagined life beyond cricket as he pursued his passion for most of his 40 years — more than half of them as an international player.
“All my life, I have had a dream of playing cricket for India. I have been living this dream every day for the last 24 years,” Tendulkar said Thursday as he announced his retirement.
“It’s hard for me to imagine a life without playing cricket because it’s all I have ever done since I was 11 years old.”
The Mumbai batsman, who said he will retire after playing his 200th Test next month, will at least not have to worry about where his next rupee is coming from.
The multi-millionaire is listed by Forbes among the world’s highest-paid sportspersons, with annual earnings of $US18.6 million ($A19.75 million) — $US16.5 million ($A17.52 million) from endorsements — in the financial year that ended in June.
Tendulkar, who has millions of devoted fans, already serves in India’s parliament, the first active sportsperson to do so. But the veteran will almost certainly be offered a job as a commentator, while former cricketers are hoping he takes up coaching.
Tendulkar accepted a government offer last year to take up a seat in parliament’s upper house. The special category is usually reserved for those contributing to the arts, sciences or social services.
Many were surprised that someone who has steered clear of controversy had decided to enter India’s muck-raking world of politics, but Tendulkar was determined to make his six-year tenure count.
“I am in a better position not only to help cricket but also other sports in the country,” he said soon after his swearing-in last June.
You might like
“I would be happy if I am remembered as someone who has contributed to all sports in India rather than just my cricket statistics.”
A lucrative career in television commentary is an option for Tendulkar, following in the footsteps of a host of international cricketers.
He would be in good company alongside former team-mates like Kapil Dev, Ravi Shastri, Sanjay Manjrekar, Navjot Sidhu, Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly.
The soft-spoken introvert may not be an ideal candidate, but a senior TV executive said production houses will still queue up to sign the “Little Master”.
“Sachin is too big a player not to attract TV companies,” said the executive, who did not want to be named. “What he says is worth its weight in gold.”
Kapil, who played alongside Tendulkar in the Indian team from 1989 to 1994, hoped the master batsman would devote some time to coaching young players.
“Sachin will have many options before him, but I wish he will also spare time to pass on his invaluable knowledge to youngsters,” Kapil told AFP. “They will hang on to every word of his.”
Tendulkar misses no opportunity these days to spend time with wife Anjali and their two children, Sara and Arjun, which effectively rules out a travelling job with the Indian team in the immediate future.
India wins T20
A blazing innings from short-form specialist Aaron Finch was not enough to deliver Australia victory in the opening match of their limited overs tour of India.
Instead it was a stunning effort from India’s comeback kid Yuvraj Singh which allowed the home side to win the one-off T20 game, chasing down Australia’s target of 202 with two balls to spare.
But if not for one crucial moment falling in India’s favour, Australian captain George Bailey felt his side would’ve finished in front.
Singh only offered one chance in his unbeaten match-winning 77, which powered India to a six-wicket victory.
With Clint McKay bowling, Singh flicked a length delivery of his pads and seemingly over the fence for one of his five sixes in the outstanding 35-ball innings.
Stay informed, daily
Shane Watson, fielding on the deep square leg boundary, spectacularly fielded the ball over the rope and attempted to acrobatically fling it in the air to regather in the field of play.
But he was unable to plant his feet inside the rope before regathering the ball.
“(It’s a) game of inches,” Bailey said after the match.
“Watto nearly catches him on the fence there and that’s a different game.
“…If we could’ve found a way to take a wicket that would’ve changed everything as well.
“Particularly Yuvraj. If we could’ve forced a wicket (it changes everything).
“And we were close, we (almost) had him caught on the fence a couple of times. But just couldn’t manage it.”
Earlier, after being sent in, Australia posted 7-201 on the back of an excellent 89 from Finch, who was ably supported with cameos from Glenn Maxwell (27 off 13) and debutant Nic Maddinson (34 off 16).
Just as he did with his world record 156 against England in August, Finch combined the brutal with the unorthodox to send India’s attack to all parts of the boundary.
Ultimately his 14 fours and one six pieced itself together as a composed knock of 89 as Australia passed 200 for just the sixth time in T20s.
It took a spectacular caught-and-bowled from Vinay Kumar (3-25) to halt the powerful right-hander.
“As disappointing as it is to lose there were some real positives to come out of it,” Bailey said.
“Finchy was outstanding again, Nic Maddinson right behind him which was great to see.
“Maxy played beautifully.
“…There were some positives in amongst the disappointment of losing.”
For Australia, the seventh ranked T20 nation, the loss was the seventh from the past eight matches.
The feeling of letting a victory slip away would be amplified by the fact they had India at 4-100.
That was when skipper MS Dhoni (24no) arrived at the crease, with his unbeaten 102 run partnership with Singh sealing Australia’s fate.
“We’ve had long partnerships in the past,” Singh explained.
“We have a very good understanding between us.”
The teams now prepare for seven one-day matches.
Want to see more stories from InDaily SA in your Google search results?
- Click here to set InDaily SA as a preferred source.
- Tick the box next to "InDaily SA". That's it.
