Journey Of a Sachin Fanatic

World Cup 1996:

This journey started somewhere in the 1996 WC when my dad introduced me to this 5 feet odd batsman and said “look how be bats”. I began liking him but it was an acquired taste.

Sharjah 1998:

The real fanatism came in 1998 during the sharjah series.His innings of 143 in that sand storm is etched in my memory like most sachin fans.There was a time when I was only bothered about his 100.I didnt care if India wins or not.All I wanted was a tendulkar 100!

From 1998 to 2006, I was a sachin fanatic to the point of being a sadist for his competition/haters.I was an alter ego of my present self.There was a time when my only worry in life was sachins form :D

I could keep watching sachin videos whole day without getting bored.

I am one of those who switched off tv when sachin got out.Done that umpteen times and i am proud of it.

I had many books with photos of sachin (and other cricketers too, but sachin almost 60%) pasted. Used to cut his photos from newspapers, magazines and pasted it in books.

2004 Slump:

I used to think  the whole world hates sachin during 2004 aus series.All critics bashed him for bad form.Some even wanted him to retire.and then when he got 200 in sydney, i remember I saw the full match highlights for 5-6 times.I used to hate dravid when he got credit for 2003-04 pak win.

2007 WC defeat and rise of Dhoni:

I think it was the 2007 WC ouster when for the first time I was extremely disappointed.(Besides the WC 2003 final of course)That was the same year India won the T20 WC under Dhoni and then obviously Dhoni went on to captain India to the WC 2011 win.

His retirement was on the cards though a bit late. But I am surprised why he retired ODIs before tests. Contrary to other batsmen, sachin has always been stronger in ODIs. The best time to retire was wc 2011 victory but I dont know why he continued further. He could have made 100 100 by playing only tests too.

And finally, let me say this is a huge loss for India especially in ODIs.The excitement to see indian batting open will never be the same.Sachin used to motivate me,he still motivates me.I am lucky to be born in his era.