Resurrection in Belfast – the Tendulkar Saga rolls on

I am not a die-hard Tendulkar fan , nor am I a belligerent cricket lover. But watching the India-South Africa 2nd ODI , I just could not help but marvel at the gem of an innings played by Tendulkar in conditions quite hostile to batting.

Critics could have dismissed the 99 runs in first ODI as another flash in the pan for a man , who is increasingly finding it difficult to carry the mantle of ‘Master-Blaster’ for quite some time now, after successfully holding on to it for 17 years. But not this one. Now and again sometimes you do witness an innings from him that belies the fact that he is over 34 yrs old and its not the 90’s anymore.

His 93 runs in second ODI deserve a standing applause, not because they were the main contribution in the Indian innings but because of the manner in which they were made against the likes of Ntini , Nel and Co on a seaming wicket. Watching him play the pulls and cuts with superhuman accuracy and flourish , one could not help but wonder if the Tendulkar of 90’s was back. He admitted in the presentation ceremony that he had planned to take the attack to the bowlers and counterattack from the word go. Quite a refreshing change from the usual “the bowl was comin on to the bat nicely………. “, that had almost become a cliche in all his man of the match speeches.

Also the innings comes at a very good time for him too what with more and more critics calling for his head and many former greats suggesting that he hangs up his boots. He was thrown a challenge, he took it headlong and from the current proceedings it looks like the SAGA of Tendulkar will continue for a few years more and with aplomb.