This is a story of a 16-year-old boy with stars in his eyes, fire in his belly and huge talent to boot.

And now there is a man who has completed 16,000 runs in ODIs and who still has stars in his eyes, fire in his belly and huge talent to boot. This is a story of transformation of a boy into a legend who for 18 years has brought a smile to the faces of a billion of his countrymen time and again. This is the story of Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar. This is a dedication to the master.

Tendulkar began his international cricketing journey at 16. And what a baptism by fire it was. Not everyone can claim to face the likes of Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Abdul Qadir in their own backyard and come out with accolades and a smile.

'The late Sir Don Bradman acknowledged Tendulkar as the best batsman he had seen and the one who came closest to his own technique and style. Enough said'


He then played one of the finest innings by an Indian in England to help save a Test. And then came the thunder Down Under. Tendulkar tamed the Aussie attack on a pacy Perth wicket to announce his arrival as one of the best that there ever will be. He scored a magnificent hundred on the world’s fastest wicket when most of his illustrious and experienced team-mates were run over by the Australians. Even before he came of age, he had become the premier batsman in India.

He took up yet another challenge when he was asked to open the innings in ODIs. And the rest is history. Over 400 ODIs and 140 Tests later he has reached a level that only the true sporting greats like Michael Jordan, Bjorn Borg or Tiger Woods ever reached.

He has scored over 27,000 runs in international cricket and has 80 centurues. But it is not the stats that are so important - Tendulkar’s greatness goes much beyond the figures. Viv Richards was a great batsman, but he had Gordon Greenidge, Desmond Haynes and Clive Lloyd for back-up. Ricky Ponting has had the consistency of Matthew Hayden, Michael Hussey and the Waughs. Jacques Kallis has Herschelle Gibbs and Graeme Smith.

But Tendulkar played most of the '90s as the premier batsman in the side and in foreign conditions and carried the burden of the expectations of millions of his countrymen. It is only in the last few years that he has got the support from other batsmen. In this regard, only Brian Lara can compare. And Tendulkar never let the rigours of cricket wipe the smile off his face. To date he remains a humble person.

The stars of the game rate him as one of the best, the commentators too. And the greatest player in the history of the game, the late Sir Don Bradman, acknowledged Tendulkar as the best batsman he had seen and the one who came closest to his own technique and style of play. Enough said.

Tendulkar has been a great ambassador of the game playing in the true spirit, always giving his all on the field, making friends with the opposition off it, staying away from controversy and taking bad decisions in the right way. Importantly, he still retains a childlike enthusiasm for cricket exemplified when he goes out to bat. You can see he enjoys playing the game.

The little master has taken the art of batting to a supreme level. There will be those who will come and set new records. But I don’t think any other cricketer can come close to the genius of Tendulkar. He may or may not be knighted or awarded the Bharat Ratna, but for me and millions of his fans worldwide he will always remain the simple, humble boy from the by-lanes of Mumbai who played hard and fair for his country a game that he loved and lived for.

I am sure even Tendulkar would be have been happy with just that. That he became one of the greatest ever in the process is a bonus.

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