The DON of cricket!!!!

Watching the Hyderabad one day was like watching a India match of the 90's in more than one ways. It brought back memories from the past, some good but mostly bad.

For starters, India got smacked all round the park, which they usually do against the Australians.The match is over as far as India was concerned once Australia got 350. India looked to one man to show them the way. Not for the first time, and neither will it be for the last time. The Indian team of the 90's believed every Indian win had to involve a good knock from the little master.It was no different yesterday. All one got to hear in the innings break after was "only one man can do it". I thought Yuvraj and Dhoni were the men in form, but apparently they were just not enough. The match would have needed a magical touch from Sachin if India was to entertain any thoughts of winning. Testimony to his skill and understanding of the game not to mention his appetite for runs.

So, Sachin has to fire it was said. Heard it so many times over the past 10 years that it almost seems boring. Thankfully for India, he did fire. But the manner in which he tore apart the Australia was even more special. Again reminding you of those times, when Warne admittedly had nightmares of being hit by Sachin for sixes. Taking the fast bowlers on with his immaculately timed shots and going after Hauritz as if he was a school boy bowler. At sharjah in the 'operation desert storm' it was the little master who made Shane Warne look ridiculously easy and hit him all over the ground.

The knock was destructive, innovative, like the one we expect from him every single time he takes guard. The other batsmen in the team failed to give him support. Raina played well for his 50 odd. Others threw away their wicket. Again reminding you of those times when Indian batting line up was best described by Sidhu, as cycles on bicycle stand. Push one and the rest fall themselves. Unnecessary run outs didn't help either. Srinath once remarked about the team of those times that the team had let Sachin down on several occasions. It was no different yesterday. Memories from the Chennai Test against Pakistan came back when Sachin left the tailenders to get 20 odd runs which they failed to get. Same situation, same result.

It was a pleasure to watch Sachin bat yesterday and painful that the Indian team could not support him to achieve the victory. As a result, like the Chennai Test, he was disappointed at the presentation ceremony while receiving the Man of the Match. A little different from the Chennai Test where he did not appear to receive the Man of the Match as he blamed himself for the loss. Age can make a person put things perspective. Yes he did achieve 17000 run mark, but not the result he wanted.
At the presentation, he said something every youngster needs to remind himself every time he dons the blue uniform, he said "I care playing for India and am passionate about the game".
It was a privilege to watch you little master. I am not sure what will motivate me and several millions to watch a cricket match after you have retired. Perhaps, we will have to wait for another Sachin to come to the scene.
Agassi had spoiled the weekend with his admission to consuming drugs, your inning was reassuring. I hope there aren't any Agassis' in cricket.