As usual the Amul guys got it right. Simple one line to highlight the dominant thought that we the "Sachin faithful" have had over the last few days.
The Desert Storm innings saw Sachin transcend cricket and i would dare say sports as well. The moments following his final walk back to the pavilion saw him transcending patriotism. A spot poll would have revealed an almost 100% preference for Dhoni declaring the innings, just so that Sachin could bat again. I watched the rest of the days play at a restaurant in Colaba, Mumbai - you see, we had moved out of the stadium after Sachins dismissal.
The scenes were unbelievable, loud cheering followed every Indian wicket, it was the West Indians who had maximum support, everyone was praying for a Gayle triple ton. It was as if the other 21 players did not matter at all. I dont see any sportsman being able to generate so much devotion among his fans. And then the last speech, the last tear and the final goodbye. Particularly touching was the bow to the pitch. Just brought out the devotee in him.
And so now some of us will reconcile ourselves to the mundane, some of us will stop watching cricket, some of us will revel in the glorious past and some of us will wait for the next Sachin.
I for one am done, though i do believe that if there is a "next Sachin" out there, he will be born in another country. Its just the way nature works i guess, lightning never strikes at the same place twice.
