TENDULKAR conquers cricket’s Mt. Everest

That batting prodigy, the one and only SACHIN RAMESH TENDULKAR sent his millions of fans and countrymen into ECSTASY when he scored his elusive 100th 100 in cricket against Bangladesh in the Asia Cup tournament match against the home team on Friday.

This milestone that in all likelihood will never be reached by any batsman even in the distant future or even in this century, took a long time in coming. If it does show how difficult it is to achieve this milestone, it also demonstrates the inner strength of this classy batsman, his resilenece and tenacity of purpose.

He went on tours to England, Australia but failed in his endevour to reach that dream mark. But the great man was not disappointed. He took each hurdle that he could not clear as a challenge. Every time he walked out to take strike, he never gave up to climb batting's Mount Everest.

Silent prayer

His fans on the grounds in England, Australia and finally Bangladesh and in his country India would have been saying a silent prayer every time he walked out to take strike to grant him the staying power to reach that momentous three figure score, that has never before been attempted or achieved by any human.

TENDULKAR will remember the day – FRIDAY-, the year 2012, the match against BANGLADESH; the ground Shere Bangla National Stadium; the tournament – ASIA CUP; the bowler left arm spinner SHAKIB AL HASSAN; and the stroke – a single to SQUARE LEG that realized his DREAM.

When he scored that single of singles, he removed his helmet, held aloft his bat and looked skywards obviously thanking the Almighty before non striker Suresh Raina and the Bangladesh fielders surrounded and overwhelmed him with congratulatory kisses and embraces.

Hands together

His team mates in the pavilion, the entire crowd of cricketing fans in the grounds, and the millions watching on TV stood in unison and burst out in cheers. The Nation of India came to a virtual standstill to acknowledge this superhuman feat. His cricket crazy fans world over --and this includes countless Sri Lankans, were overpowered with awe and emotion.

Bombay Cricket Club, the club that he's been representing from the time he moved on to the big time game , had promised to gift him 100 gold coins when he reached that elusive 100th 100. But such is this feat that its only represents a token. it would be an exercise in futility to attribute a monetary value to this achievement.

Press briefing

After reaching that record at a press briefing TENDULKAR said that he is not god --- as fans often called him-- but that he is SACHI TENDULKAR, the cricketer who loves the game. But there is no denying the fact that he is a cricketing demi-god. From the time he was knee high to bat and from the time he began to walk the cricket fields wherever,he was an example worthy of emulation in these days that role models are rare.

Simple, unassuming and always sporting that certain smile, he was one if not the most likeable cricketers that the game has seen or will ever see.

The greatest batsman that the world has seen or ever seen, Sir Donald Bradman said that TENDULKAR is like him in his stroke play. Coming from the great Don, no better compliment could have been paid to him.

Wild celebrations

In the midst of all the wild celebrations, TENDULKAR was disappointed that his team lost the game to Bangladesh. The losing took away some of the gloss from his momentous achievement. Former West Indian batting legend Sir Vivian Richards the only batsman to face devastating pace bowling without sporting a helmet, and who has been bracketed with Don Bradman and TENDULKAR as one of the greatest batsman of all-time described TENDULKAR’S 100th 100 as a testimony to his self-belief and his unwavering focus, and called upon all to sit back and enjoy the last years of the humble, diminutive and yet commanding cricketer.

The cry has already begun for TENDULKAR to quit the one-day game and concentrate more on the established game. That is a fair call considering that the ‘little master’ will be reaching 39 next month. One-day cricket is best played by youth. But then when one has a Master in the form of Sachin, it will be idle to second guess his judgement as to what form of game he should indulge in.

The Little Master has shown his prowess and we are fortunate to have seen this in our life time. We salute Sachin Tendulkar as a god given gift and blessing that has been showered on the cricketing world. A blessing that will from now on be etched not only in the Guiness Book of records, but also in the hearts and minds of billions of people .

Meeting Asia’s Best Shooter

After the Commonwealth Bank Tri series game which Sri Lanka won beating Australia to enter the best of three finals at the Melbourne Cricket Ground I was fortunate to meet Percy Perera, who was Asia’s Best Shooters in basketball.

It was the year 1966 and the Asian Games in Bangkok, Thailand. Sri Lankan basketballers led by C.Thurairaja were figuring in the tournament and trading basket for basket with their better trained opponents. The Sri Lankan players were admired for their grit and determination, although not being able to win many games. But when the tournament was over, it came like a bolt from the blues, when it was announced that Percy Perera was adjudged the Best Shooter.

It was indeed interesting meeting Percy now domiciled in Melbourne and recalling old times and incidents that were many during our school days and after. Percy, in addition to his prowess in basketball, was also a fine all round cricketer. He played for the school and later for Saracens Sports Club in the ‘Sara ‘ Trophy.

Great achievement

Being chosen as ‘Asia’s Best Shooter’ was one great achievement that all Sri Lanka should be proud of. Perera hailed from St. Benedict’s College, Kotahena which at that that time produced some of the best cagers – Cosmas Perera now Mahagama was the first Benedictine ever to captain a national team –basketball. Cosmas is now domiciled in Los Angeles.

The two Pereras, were simply outstanding. Percy was a shooter par excellence and Cosmas an all court player. The likes of them have never been seen since those good old daya . The man who made them brilliant players and churned out champion teams in basketball at SBC was the irrepressible coach of coaches Ram Suntheralingam, who himself was a national player and who is now spending his retirement in Old Blightey.

Those were the days when the Bens ruled the school and club scene winning trophies, and there were many tournaments at that time, with ease.

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