Sir — This refers the editorial, “More than just cricket” (November 18). Great players, and equally great human beings with an unsullied life, are born once in a generation. There have been excellent cricketers who graced the pitch in the past. But except for a handful, none could compare with the little master’s unimpeachable track record of talent, sportsmanship and sagacious calm in the face of all adversities. His record on the ground is there for all to see, but that he was instrumental in inspiring a whole lot of young cricketers, is an equally important point.
Cricketers like Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly could find their feet with Sachin Tendulkar around them acting as a pivot, a peaceful warrior and a guiding force at the same time. Such was the master blaster’s popularity that the entire nation came to a standstill when he retired.
There are talks of making Tendulkar a Sports Minister. However, it is unlikely that he enjoys politics and the controversies that come with it. Also, he may not like to be seen as belonging to and working for a
particular party.
Tendulkar may not like to be a leader of men, but may prefer to be one among them. Therefore, he has to be given something bigger, something unprecedented in Indian sports: ‘Permanent Mentor of Indian Sports’ would be a fitting title.
Some cynics have questioned Tendulkar being awarded the Bharat Ratna. In the past, when Pakistani cricketer Imran Khan had questioned Tendulkar’s ability as a ‘match-winner’, Wasim Akram had retorted, “If Sachin is not a match-winner, who else isIJ” Similarly, one can ask: If Tendulkar did not deserve the Bharat Ratna, who else doesIJ