10dulkar: Sachin without statistics 

A cricketer who has the record of hundreds of hundreds, the most number of runs, the most number of getting out in the 90s? or a boy of 16 who looked like 14 got hit by a bouncer bowled by Waqar Younis at 150+ km per hour speed got a bandage returned to the pitch and scored a magnificent half-century facing Wasim, Waqar, Qadir, and the fiery Imran? Sachin, a boy raised in local Mumbai, conquered the Lords of London, Melbourne, Sydney, Lahore, Colombo, the Caribbean islands, and Dhaka in his hundredth century. Statistics are all for Sachin; no one needs to argue, but how is Sachin without statistics? On his 51st birth anniversary, let's explore his career without statistics.

Former India captain and legendary batter Sachin Tendulkar turned a year older on Wednesday, April 24, as he completed 51 years of his life. Tendulkar is often regarded as one of the most incredible batters to have graced the game of cricket. His name has been synonymous with mastery, skill, and dedication to the sport. In his career spanning 24 years, the legendary batter achieved several records that have either remained unbroken or shattered by a few players.

During his playing years, Sachin Tendulkar earned sobriquets like 'God of Cricket' and 'Master Blaster'. The tag 'Master Blaster' was earlier given to former Pakistan batter Haif Mohammad and ex-batting legend Sunil Gavaskar. Tendulkar's batting made waves in the international arena, inspiring countless cricketers and leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of cricket enthusiasts worldwide.

Sachin Tendulkar's journey is not just about his on-field exploits but also his humility and dedication to the game. He attributes his humility to his upbringing and family values. Recalling his early days, Tendulkar mentions how his family celebrated his success modestly, focusing more on the next game and improvement rather than basking in glory.

Former India opening batsman Virender Sehwag shared an incident highlighting Sachin Tendulkar's humility during the 2003 World Cup in South Africa. Sehwag recalled how Tendulkar, amidst the chaos of a major tournament, took time to greet and photograph a disabled man, showcasing his down-to-earth nature. Such instances underscore Tendulkar's character, portraying him as a cricketing legend and a compassionate human being.

As India's cricketing icon, Tendulkar's legacy echoes, reminding us that greatness is not just about statistics but also about the intangible qualities that define a true champion.

Many cricket lovers might not notice a minor detail, but they cannot deny that Sachin came to bat for India, not just when his team was in trouble but also when the country was going through turmoil. Economic debacle, war crisis, joblessness, and a new shift in the industrial sectors—Sachin came as a light, as a hope for a nation. 

Sachin was a concerned player for his fellow teammates. In his first IPL season, Robin Uthappa went for a bat without a helmet because he had a new haircut to settle. Going beyond his nature, Sachin got angry and suggested that Robin Uthappa not do this again. Most of the time, Sachin never went helmetless in his career, even though he was facing a spinner.

Sachin never fought verbally but with his bat and never revolted in or outside the field, but he practised and came back. Then who is Sachin?  

Is this Sachin? We might get the answer from an incident that took place in 2004 between Sachin and a legendary Pakistani batter, Inzam-ul-Haq. 

Inzamam came to Sachin with his son and said, "He (his son) wants your autograph. He is my son but a fan of yours."