MUMBAI (
Web Desk) - Sachin Tendulkar played his last day of international cricket.
The
full text of it is below.
All my friends. Settle down let me talk, I will get more and more emotional (crowd gets
louder and louder as he composes himself).
My
life, between 22 yards
for 24 years, it is hard to believe that that wonderful journey has come
to an end, but I would like to take this opportunity to thank people
who have played an important role in my life. Also, for the first time
in my life I am carrying this list, to remember all the names in case I
forget someone. I hope you understand. It s getting a little bit
difficult to talk but I will manage.
The most important person in my life, and I have missed him a lot
since 1999 when he passed away, my father. Without his guidance, I don t
think I would have been standing here in front of you. He gave me
freedom at the age of 11, and told me that I should]chase my dreams, but
make sure you do not find short cuts.
The path might be difficult, but don t give up, and I have simply
followed his instructions. Above all, he told me to be a nice human
being, which I will continue to do and try my best. Every time I have
done something special [and] showed my bat, it was for my father.
My mother, I don t know how she dealt with such a naughty child like
me. I was not easy to manage. She must be extremely patient. For a
mother, the most important thing is that her child remains safe and
healthy and fit. T
hat was what she was most bothered and worried about. She took care
of me for the last 24 years that I have played for India, but even
before that she started praying for me the day I started playing
cricket. She just prayed and prayed and I think her prayers and
blessings have given me the strength to go out and perform, so a big
thank you to my mother for all the sacrifices.
In my school days, for four years, I stayed with my uncle and aunt
because my school was quite far from my home, and they treated me like
their son. My aunt, after having had a hard day s play, I would be half
asleep and she would be feeding me food so I could go again and play
tomorrow. I can t forget these moments. I am like their son and I am
glad it has continued to be the same way.
My eldest brother, Nitin, and his family, have always encouraged me.
My eldest brother doesn t like to talk much, but the one thing he always
told me is that whatever you do, I know you will always give it 100%,
and that I have full faith and confidence in you.
His encouragement meant a lot to me. My sister, Savita, and her
family, was no different. The first cricket bat of my life was presented
to me by my sister. It was a Kashmir willow bat. But that is where the
journey began. She is one of those many who still continue to fast when I
bat, so thank you very much.
Sachin Tendulkar is carried on a lap of honour around the Wankhede, India v West Indies, 2nd Test, Mumbai, 3rd day, November 16, 2013
Every time I have showed my bat, it was for my father
Ajit, my brother, now what do I talk about him? I don t know. We have
lived this dream together. He was the one who sacrificed his career for
my cricket. He spotted the spark in me.
And it all started from the age of 11 when he took me to Archrekar
sir, my coach, and from there on my life changed. You will find this
hard to believe but even last night he called to discuss my dismissal,
knowing that there was a remote chance of batting again, but just the
habit we have developed, the rapport we have developed, since my birth,
has continued and it will continue. Maybe when I m not playing cricket
we will still be discussing technique.
Various things we agreed upon, my technique, and so many technical
things which I didn t agree with him, we have had arguments and
disagreements, but when I look back at all these things in my life, I
would have been a lesser cricketer.
The most beautiful thing happened to me in 1990 when I met my wife,
Anjali. Those were special years and it has continued and will always
continue that way. I know Anjali, being a doctor; there was a wonderful
career in front of her. When we decided to have a family, Anjali took
the initiative to step back and say that you continue with your cricket
and I will take the responsibility of the family .
Without that, I don t think I would have been able to play cricket
freely and without stress. Thanks for bearing with all my fuss and all
my frustrations, and all sorts of rubbish that I have spoken. Thanks for
bearing with me and always staying by my side through all the ups and
downs. You are the best partnership I ve had in my life.
Then, the two precious diamonds of my life, Sara and Arjun. They have
already grown up. My daughter is 16, my son is 14. Time has flown by. I
wanted to spend so much time with them on special occasions like their
birthdays, their annual days, their sports day, going on holidays,
whatever. I have missed out on all those things.
Thanks for your understanding. Both of you have been so, so special
to me you cannot imagine. I promise you [that] for 14 and 16 years I
have not spent enough time with both of you, but the next 16 years or
even beyond that, everything is for you.
My in-laws, Anand Mehta and Annabelle, both have been so, so
supportive [and] loving and caring. I have discussed on various things
in life, generally with them, and have taken their advice. You know,
it s so important to have a strong family who is always with you and who
are guiding you. Before you start clapping, the most important thing
they did was allowing me to marry Anjali, so thank you very much.
In the last 24 years that I have played for India I have made new
friends, and before that I have had friends from my childhood. They have
all had a terrific contribution. As and when I have called them to come
and bowl to me at the nets, they have left their work aside to come and
help me. Be it joining me on holidays and having discussions with me on
cricket, or how I was a little stressed and wanting to find a solution
so I can perform better.
The memories you have left with me will always be with me forever and
ever, especially "Sachin, Sachin" which will reverberate in my ears
till I stop breathing
All those moments my friends were with me. Even for when I was injured, I
would wake up in the morning because I couldn t sleep and thought that
my career was over because of injuries, that is when my friends have
woken up at 3 o clock in the morning to drive with me and make me
believe that my career was not over. Life would be incomplete without
all those friends. Thanks for being there for me.
My cricket career started when I was 11. The turning point of my
career was when my brother (Ajit) took me to Achrekar sir. I was
extremely delighted to see him up in the stands. Normally he sits in
front of the television and he watches all the games that I play. When I
was 11/12, those were the days when I used to hop back on his scooter
and play a couple of practice matches a day.
he first half the innings I would be batting at Shivaji Park, the
second half, at some other match in Azad Maidan. He would take me all
over Mumbai to make sure I got match practice.
On a lighter note, in the last 29 years, sir has never ever said
well played to me because he thought I would get complacent and I
would stop working hard. Maybe he can push his luck and wish me now,
well done on my career, because there are no more matches, sir, in my
life. I will be witnessing cricket, and cricket will always stay in my
heart, but you have had an immense contribution in my life, so thank you
very much.
My cricket for Mumbai started right here on this ground, the Mumbai
Cricket Association (MCA), which is so dear to me. I remember landing
from New Zealand at four o clock in the morning, and turning up for a
game here at eight o clock just because I wanted to be a part of Mumbai
cricket, and not that somebody forced me. That was for the love of
Mumbai cricket, and thank you very much. The president is here so thank
you very much, along with your team, for taking care of me and looking
after my cricket.
The dream was obviously to play for India, and that is where my
association with BCCI started. BCCI was fantastic, right from my debut
they believed in my ability and selecting me into the squad at the age
of 16 was a big step, so thanks to all the selectors for having faith in
me and the BCCI for giving me the freedom to express myself out in the
middle.
Things would have been different if you had not been behind me, and I
really appreciate your support. Especially when I was injured, you were
right with me and making sure that all the treatments were taken care
of, and that I got fit and fine and playing [right] back for India.
The journey has been special, the last 24 years, I have played with
many senior cricketers, and even before that there were many senior
cricketers with whom I watched on television. They inspired me to play
cricket, and to play in the right way. Thanks to all those senior
cricketers, and unfortunately I have not been able to play with them,
but I have high regards for all their achievements and all their
contributions.
We see it on the mega-screen, Rahul, Laxman, Sourav, and Anil, who is
not here, and my team-mates right here in front me. You are like my
family away from home. I have had some wonderful times with you. It is
going to be difficult to not be part of the dressing room, sharing those
special moments. All the coaches for their guidance, it has been
special for me.
I know when MS Dhoni presented me the 200th Test match cap on day one
morning. I had a brief message for the team. I would like to repeat
that. I just feel that all of us are so, so fortunate and proud to be
part of the Indian cricket team and serving the nation.
Knowing all of you guys, I know you will continue to serve the nation
in the right spirit and right values. I believe we have been the lucky
ones to be chosen by the Almighty to serve this sport. Each generation
gets this opportunity to take care of this sport and serve it to the
best of our ability. I have full faith in you to continue to serve the
nation in the right spirit and to the best of your ability, to bring all
the laurels to the country. All the very best.
Sachin Tendulkar walked the team out to the middle, possibly for the
last time, India v West Indies, 2nd Test, Mumbai, 3rd day, November 16,
2013
The most beautiful thing happened to me in 1990 when I met my wife, Anjali. © BCCI
Enlarge
I would be failing in my duties if I did not thank all the doctors, the
physios, the trainers, who have put this difficult body together to go
back on the field and be able to play. The amount of injuries that I
have had in my career, I don t know how you have managed to keep me fit,
but without your special efforts, it would never have happened. The
doctors have met me at weird hours. I mean I have called them from
Mumbai to Chennai, Mumbai to Delhi, I mean wherever. They have just
taken the next flight and left their work and families to be with me,
which has allowed me to play. So a big thank you to all three of you for
keeping me in good shape.
My dear friend, late Mark Mascarenhas, my first manager. We
unfortunately lost him in a car accident in 2001, but he was such a
well-wisher of cricket, my cricket, and especially Indian cricket. He
was so passionate. He understood what it takes to represent a nation and
gave me all the space to go out and express myself, and never
pressurized me to do this ad or promotion or whatever the sponsors
demanded. He took care of that and today I miss him, so thank you Mark
for all your contribution.
My current management team, WSG, for repeating what Mark has done,
because when I signed the contract I exactly told them what I want from
them, and what it requires to represent me. They have done that and
respected that.
Someone who has worked closely with me for 14 years is my manager,
Vinod Nayudu. He is more like my family and all the sacrifices, spending
time away from his family for my work, has been special, so big thank
you to his family as well for giving up so much time for my work with
Vinod.
In my school days, when I performed well, the media backed me a lot.
They continue to do that till this morning. Thank you so much to the
media for supporting and appreciating my performances. It surely had a
positive effect on me. Thank you so much to all the photographers as
well for those wonderfully captured moments that will stay with me for
the rest of my life, so a big thank you to all the photographers.
I know my speech is getting a bit too long (crowd roars), but this is
the last thing I want to say. I want to thank all the people here who
have flown in from various parts of the world, and have supported me
endlessly, whether I scored a 0 or a 100-plus. Your support was so dear
to me and meant a lot to me. Whatever you have done for me.
I know I have met so many guys who have fasted for me, prayed for me,
done so much for me. Without that life wouldn t have been like this for
me. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart, and also say that
time has flown by rather quickly, but the memories you have left with me
will always be with me forever and ever, especially "Sachin, Sachin"
which will reverberate in my ears till I stop breathing. Thank you very
much. If I have missed out on saying something, I hope you understand.
Goodbye.