TV stars opine on Tendulkar quitting IPL

Last night (26 May 2013) when Mumbai Indians lifted the IPL (Indian Premiere League) crown for the first time in six years, this prestigious but now under a cloud T20 cricket extravaganza also bid farewell to one of cricket’s greats, Sachin Tendulkar. We spoke to a few TV stars, to get their feelings of what they felt about the God of Cricket quitting the IPL scene. Said Rohit Roy, “Although Sachin had not officially announced his quitting before the finals, the presence of his wife and daughter last night in the stands gave me that sinking feeling that he would quit which eventually he did. I am an emotional person and will forever remember all his great innings across all the three formats (Tests, ODIs and T20s) of the game. He really reserved his best when he played against Pakistan. It would be wrong on my part to name one memorable innings, but off hand I can remember that one test against England in which he single handedly saved our team from the hands of defeat with a gutsy 164.” Averred Shakti Arora, “Sachin could not have given Mumbai Indians a better parting gift than lifting the IPL trophy with his useful tips. We had come close to beating Chennai Super Kings in the finale even before, but could not complete the task. It would have been heart breaking if we lost again. Thank you Sachin for this trophy and the manner you came back to form in your last played match, was a stinging reply to your detractors.” Opined Gaurav Chopraa when asked if Sachin should also hang up his boots in the Test cricket format. “That is a call which he will have to take for himself. Having said that, the biggest problem with such geniuses is that when they play a tad below their own very high potential, it puts a lot of pressure on them which might affect their game. Looking ahead, I feel that while Sachin should not be asked to step down, the bottom line is that we always need to field the best playing 11 on any given match day. And if ever the selectors find someone else who is better than Sachin based on present form alone, he should be given a chance.” But will such droppings not be a body blow to the morale of someone like Sachin’s caliber? “Well, you know there are thousands of ways to get the above job done without having to say it in so many words.” Observed Dimple Jhangiani, “If there is any cricketer who I respect, it is Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar. He has been part of the squad which saw India lift the T20s and 50 overs World Cup earlier. Agreed that his speed might not be as good as before, but yet he is better than most cricketers of the day. I just hope that he continues to play the longer version of this gentleman’s game and bows out with grace. May be with a series win Down Under it will be the best send off ever.” Any talk of IPL is sadly incomplete without mentioning of the ongoing spot fixing menace. So we asked Rohit, if he feels that will it affect Sachin’s credibility as well and he laughed aloud saying,“ It will be stupidity to even think so. Few greats like Sachin, Rahul Dravid and M S Dhoni are above the board. We know that they will never do anything to mar either their own reputation or of the sport which millions of Indians love.” Added Manav Gohil, “It is good that Sachin has quit the muck that is called IPL, lest it might tar his image him too.” “But don’t you think that such going arounds are common in Test cricket as well?” They might be, but the level and extent is far less when you play for the flag.” Let us know if you all will miss Sachin in IPL’s next season!!!