50×100: No Challenge Too Big

There is some poetic justice in the fact that Sachin Tendulkar got the 50th century when he actually did. Today. When his side was down and dusted, battling to stay on in the game. In my opinion, and with due respect to the Kiwi boys, it would have been a damp squib if he had reached this amazing milestone against a side that the Indians were supposed to walk all over (that they had a hard time eventually just goes to prove what a great leveler the game is).

Anyways. The match still looks difficult to salvage, especially with just 2 wickets in the kitty and all of tomorrow left to play, and the pitch doing increasingly unpredictable stuff, but the Little Master just proved his mettle (I know, it is superfluous to even suggest that it needs any more proving) by fighting it out. That MSD gave him great company and held his own with the great master, matching him stroke for stroke, and even outscoring him for the most part, was another thing. I believe that he has the ability to bat much higher up in the order in the Test matches and this inning just validates my claim.

There will be a lot of eulogies in his name, and people will sing paeans in the name of Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar, but one thing that has be mentioned is his undiminished passion for the game, for success, for greater glory for himself, his team, his nation…

I was just having a sad conversation with a friend today morning, about feeling really low on motivation of late, especially since I am going through a bit of a rough patch on the career front. And then I see the master blast another century, and show that kind of keenness on the field, even two decades after his entry into the scenario. It kind of puts me and my lame excuses to shame to see him wield his willow with such majestic grace, poise and of course, determination. I think there is a lesson in it for me, at least. To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield…