adminMUMBAI – Sachin Tendulkar displayed glimpses of his exquisite batting yesterday in his final Test at the Wankhede Stadium, amid a festive atmosphere for his farewell international game. Tendulkar scored a fluent 38 not out that had an enthusiastic crowd on its feet, expecting the “Little Master” to end a glorious 24-year career on a high note.
Tendulkar looked relaxed as he walked in to the middle after being given a guard of honour by the West Indies team.
He was off the mark with the third delivery he faced and executed a fine cut shot for four to offspinner Shane Shillingford off the 11th delivery.
A well-timed four through mid-off off the same bowler and a trademark cover drive off pace bowler Shannon Gabriel were the other picks of his six boundaries during the 73-ball knock.
The expectant crowd had swelled up as the Indian innings started after tea and it was in frenzy once Tendulkar was in the middle, batting with a new bat grip made in the green, white and orange colors of the Indian flag.
Hundreds of fans had their faces painted in the same colours and with either “Sachin” or “200” written on their foreheads to commemorate his 200th and last test match.
Placards like “Sachin 2hundredkar” and “Only humans will play cricket from now on” dotted the stadium in reverence to a player known as “God of cricket” in this part of the world.
Several prominent politicians, film actors and sportsmen watched the match, but the TV cameras were more focused on Tendulkar’s wife Anjali and brother Ajit – along with his mother Rajni, who watched her son play live for the first time from her wheelchair. – AP
Online Reporter