A raw deal

So that's what he gets for all his efforts. I cannot for my all my life understand why some people love to belittle Sachin Tendulkar, but that is a fact. He is only a cricket player, not some politician, not a corrupt businessman. He was the only hope, the sole Atlas carrying the burden of Indian cricket till a few years ago. He has not woken up and lost any of his talents, nor has he lost any iota of his unique brand of enthusiasm for the game. He has never thrown any tantrums, never been a prima donna, nor is he in the team because he is selfishly nearing some milestone. Still people love to pillory him. When he got out in the 1st innings, so many people said "Hah! Sachin has failed! Who are those idiots who think he is any good? He should be packed off". The tone and demeanour of these critics are not those emanating from frustrated supporters - rather they're from wells of spite and founts of enmity.

Why would such a guy attract such foul reactions? Can these people claim Sachin is a spent force? Is he holding up someone's place? Is he not contributing in other ways possible? Has he not had more than his share of ill-luck? Has he lost the captain's faith? So why can't we continue to support the one person who has made us proud consistently over the last 14 years?

It's a shame, a disgrace. I can accept well-informed criticisms: that he made a couple of errors of judgement, that he is playing too defensively than necessary, that he needs to take control of his batting again. Not stupid remarks that are suggestive and reek of pleasure at his discomfiture. These people don't deserve any team success in the future if they are so fickle-minded and have forgotten the laurels of the recent past (as recent as 10 months ago). Make no mistake - I will gloat in your collective faces when SRT re-emerges out of his shell to reclaim his place at the top. Fate has paid him a dirty trick or two, but eventually she will give him his rightful due. That times are at their blackest now are an indication now that the clouds are about to give way for pure brightness to seep through. I don't want to seem as a gushing and blind fan, but that genius has more expressions left of it. I don't care if SRT isn't considered one of the greatest, but atleast he deserves more support from the same people whom he represents with so much distinction. Instead of feeling proud, they taunt him from the back, knowing that he doesn't usually respond in kind.