Cricket in India is like a religion, and to many Sachin Tendulkar is the most revered god of them all.
The little maestro is hailed as one of the most complete batsmen of the modern era, and in his 20-year international career he has smashed more records than he can remember. Tendulkar holds the record for the most runs scored in Test cricket, 12 877, and in the 50-over form of the game (17 178), but it his rare ability to combine genius and boldness that has most endeared him to aficionados across the globe.
Tendulkar’s greatness, and tenacity, was established when he made his Test debut against Pakistan at the tender age of 16. He was welcomed to the world of Test cricket by a thundering delivery by Waqar Younis that left him in need of urgent dental attention, but he held his own and continued to bat in a blood-soaked shirt, a sign of the single-minded attitude he has towards his craft.
His first Test hundred came when he was 17 and by the time he reached 25 he had already amassed 16 Test hundreds, well on his way to claiming the mantle of cricket’s most prodigious scorer in 2008.
And while he may have adopted a more cautious approach as his illustrious career edges towards its twilight years, he has not allowed his approach to become blunted by the intrusion of dullness or conservatism.
What makes his career even more remarkable is the extreme pressure, both from the media and the fans, under which it has unfolded. For a man who is often obliged to go about his business in his hometown of Mumbai in disguise and reportedly has taken his family holidays in exotic locations such as Iceland, it is a marvel that he retains the humility that belies his status as India’s favourite son.