Crickets ‘Little Master’ Sachin Tendulkar Retires

Sachin Tendulkar has ended weeks of speculation regarding his Test retirement, by calling it quits and announcing that the 40-years old's 200th test in Indian colours will be his last. He will walk out to bat for India one last time, against the West Indies in November, which is likely to be held in Mumbai next month.

Tendulkar's retirement had seemed more likely after quitting limited overs cricket in December 2012 and facing increased pressure following poor batting performances. Tendulkar a man who has scored a record 51 test centuries, last recorded a century against South Africa in January 2011. It seems inconceivable that a batsman regarded as the best of his generation could face a dip in form. Tendulkar scored 15837 runs, hitting 67 fifties and even recorded an unbeaten 248. So it seems now is the perfect time to draw to a close one of the legendary sporting careers. 

In an emotional statement, Tendulkar said: "All my life, I have had a dream of playing cricket for India. I have been living this dream every day for the last 24 years. It's hard for me to imagine a life without playing cricket because it's all I have ever done since I was 11 years old. It's been a huge honour to have represented my country and played all over the world. I look forward to playing my 200th Test Match on home soil, as I call it a day. 

"I thank the BCCI for everything over the years and for permitting me to move on when my heart feels it's time! I thank my family for their patience and understanding. Most of all, I thank my fans and well-wishers who through their prayers and wishes have given me the strength to go out and perform at my best."

Tendulkar nicknamed the "God of Cricket" will be extremely hard to replace, former Test captain and opening batsman Sunil Gavaskar said : "It will not be easy to fill the gap left by Sachin. The No. 4 position will be a slot that will invite a huge amount of pressure. It will be a litmus test for anyone batting there. All big Test sides have had the best of batsmen batting at No. 4. For India, the position has been occupied by Tendulkar for almost two decades and it will be impossible to replace him overnight." Tendulkar’s first Test came against Pakistan at Karachi in November 1989. 

Even with his form and run scoring capabilities being called into question recently, Tendulkar is still breaking records. In a T20 Champions League match against Trinidad and Tobago in Delhi last weekend, Tendulkar reached a landmark 50,000 runs across all formats of competition cricket. Tendulkar was popular across the world, and in 1992 became the first overseas player to sign for Yorkshire, scoring more than 1,000 runs in the summer. 

The president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, N Srinivasan, said: "He is without doubt the greatest cricketer India has produced. 

"In fact, one should really say he ranks among the top of all-time great sports persons in the world. No one has served Indian cricket as Sachin has. Tendulkar had a very important role within the Indian team, alongside fellow legends Dravid and Ganguly, providing a comforting air of experience and composure. Aiding the development of the often hot headed youngster fresh in to the team, with skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni stating the ‘little master’ knew how to handle the young guns. 

As the curtain falls on an amazing Test career, Tendulkar can be satisfied by his contribution to his sport, the esteem his colleagues hold him in and the respect he received from his opponents. Any sportsman would be proud of that legacy.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan tweeted:  "One of the greatest ever Sachin Tendulkar is retiring. One of my heroes and an absolute joy to play against."

England batsman Kevin Pietersen also took to Twitter  to dub Tendulkar: "Undisputed Champion of Cricket!"

And Shane Warne, the second-highest Test wicket-taker said: "Sachin Tendulkar is, in my time, the best player without a doubt - daylight second, Brian Lara third."