Tadeusz Borowski Essay, Research Paper

Numbers don’t suffice when the subject is Sachin Tendulkar. I have gained considerable knowledge about his personality and his cricketing skills by conducting surveys and interviews, as I wanted to explore more about my subject. I decided to find about Sachin’s personality as a person and also to know more about his family. I also wanted to include in this project the achievements he has made in cricket and in his life, and last but not least his preparation and hard work involved in improving his skills. I want all of you to know the Sachin Tendulkar story and this is how it goes: Gonna tell you the Sachin Tendulkar story – about a boy who rose to fame playing cricket as a kid in the streets of Bombay, born to be a household name, he can hit those fours and sixes, that Tendulkar boy sure can play, he’s got the passion and devotion, blasting away, he’s here to stay, now he’s hitting those balls into glory, with a power that cuts like a knife, he’s a winner- a winner in the game of life.

In every aspect he is truly a legend, he is far more than a fabulous player producing great results. He has achievements which surpass any other cricketer in modern cricket. He has accomplished a level far superior than others around him not only in his game but as a person too. At a young age of twenty five he holds many world records. It is really amazing to know that he started his career in International cricket at an age of fifteen years. He was hailed as a genius even in his first season in international cricket. He has been compared with Sir Don Bradman much to his embarrassment. Any other sportsman would have been spoilt by all the talent that he has been endowed with and all the adulation that has come his way at such a young age. This man, however, remains unaffected by all the media focus on him and the growing expectations of millions of countrymen, who expect him to crack a century every time he takes guard.

There is a tale behind the tigerish attitude of Tendulkar on the field. As a kid, he was fascinated by tigers and once at the zoo he insisted on touching the animal. This attitude of his is reflected in his play and anything else to date he set his mind and energies to. From when he started his career to date he has shown his love and gratitude for the nation and for the game that has given him everything he has it today. He did not let fame go to his head. He wanted to give something back to the youth of the nation for this purpose he promoted cricket by coaching youngsters at all levels so that he could pass on something from within. He worked for causes beyond cricket as he is an avid fund collector to support charities around the world over. He took time off and put all his energy into helping others around him. This goes to prove that he is a tiger in true sense of the word, on and off the field.

He knew his responsibilities and also the expectations of the nation but he did not let the expectations of the nation get to him, concentration is what gets him through. He remarked that he has set standards for himself because he knows he can do better. He is striving to achieve greater batting standards. About his recent outstanding batting phase, it may be his best by far as, everything worked for him and he is always thankful to God. He is not known to speak much on the field, never engage in any verbal duels with the opponents. Once Pakistani leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed dared Tendulkar to hit him the way he had slammed Saqlain Mushtaq another Pakistani bowler and the little master just smiled and picked him twice from outside the offstump for cross-batted sixes. On another occasion Chaminda Vaas told us that Tendulkar was unable to play the straight drive off him. When Tendulkar learnt of this he simply shut all arguments with six impeccable straight drives in the next match at Sharjah. It was absolutely sensational stuff.

Practice makes a man perfect and Sachin believes in this. Sachin practices nets after nets to achieve excellence in cricket and there is no taking it easy. Adds Sachin: “Cricket for me is never casual. I realize it every time an irregular bowler gets me out.” As writer Andy Clark says in Being There: ” We use intelligence to structure our environment so that we can succeed with less intelligence to structure our environment so that we can be dumb in peace.” For Sachin, more practice doesn’t necessarily mean easy run, happens. Tendulkar takes great effort not to offend people or show disrespect to seniors. He has not changed one bit from the time he first stepped into the Indian dressing room. He will lend a keen ear to anyone wanting for advise, from him and anyone seeking his counsel will never be turned away. For, Tendulkar likes to share his experience and observations unlike some of the cricketers in the past, any new member of the Indian team will testify that Tendulkar’s presence can be very inspiring. The man who gives nightmares to bowlers all over the world is also at ease with kids.

When he goes out to bat, he bats like a undefeated hero. One can see a lot of determination in his face when seen as a cricketer. Peer respect is something Sachin thrives on. ” For me the respect of my teammates is very important. To be considered a great sportsman you have to be able to prove your abilities over a long period. Not just a couple of seasons. To perform over 10-15 years requires a lot of perseverance.” This longevity of performance comes up as an essential ingredient in his own assessment of the current Indian team. With his flow on the field Sachin reminds us of our self-esteem. Each century of his proves his conviction that Indians are no way inferior to any one. When riches are becoming the only mark of success in a country that has cherished austerity, he shows that wealth and good values can coexist.

Sachin the man is very different from Sachin the cricketer. The fury to belt the bowler is a trait, which he acquires only when he is at the crease. Off the field, he is a very composed and modest person. He may appear reserved at times, but is never snobbish as he learnt very early at home how to handle success and keep his head in place. When he plays cricket his mind is entirely focused on cricket and nothing else, when he is not playing he thinks about his family and spends time with them. He has the full support from his family, his wife Anjali is playing a big role in his success too. She has been with him during times of failures and successes. The support of his family has been the foundations of all that he has achieved in cricket and life. His family had always guarded him from getting carried away by all the praises. Family support and values have contributed much to the making of Sachin. He is realistic, simple and sincere. Money has not gone to his head. He is caring and jealously guards his private life. Loss of privacy sometimes pricks him, but he is wise enough to realize that it comes with the job he does. Winning matches for India is much easier for this man than taking his family to a restaurant. This explains why he loves those holidays in far off places where none can reach him sometimes not even the Board of Cricket Control in India. It also explains why he loves going on long drives because it helps him get away from the crowd that he encounters everytime he steps out of his house in Bombay. That is how it has been because Tendulkar has never behaved differently with his neighbors and friends. So, crowds do not bother him as he experiences them so frequently at cricket venues all over the world. There are disappointments and one has to know how to deal with them. No, he is not an atheist. ” I believe in God. I think there is a supernatural power. But, one has to try. Then whatever happens, happens. There are disappointments and you have to know how to deal with them.” These were the words of Sachin when asked about his belief in God.

Sachin’s faith in India is there for all to see. He is the only cricketer who supports the tricolors on his helmet and he wants all others to do so. He touches the soul of India. He is our best anti depressant. It is his faith and values in God and the country that makes him a clean cricketer and untouched by any kind of controversies. It is one reason why he is reluctant to appear in liquor advertisements. He stands apart giving off his best. Sachin Tendulkar is someone who will be written down in the golden words of Indian cricketing history. He is truly the Son of India who has made every single one of us proud to be an Indian. Our country has never felt so confident of its youth as it has in Sachin. In cricket he won’t be forgotten because only another Sachin will break his record and for the cricket world that is close to impossible.

1. Kamal Hassan. “All the News about the legend” Amerisoft,

oct 14th, 1998. www.amerisoft.net/sachin.html

2. Aniruddha Bahal. “Sachin an intimate profile” Amerisoft,

sept 22nd ,1998.

www.amerisoft.net/sachin/intimate_profile.html