18 November,2013 08:42 AM IST | | Team MiD DAY
Blues legend BB King still sings The Thrill is Gone all over the world despite being 88. He still makes his guitar Lucille weep in a way, music buffs reckon no one of his generation can or has ever since. So where music is concerned, the thrill has not gone. In cricket, it has.u00a0
Sachin Tendulkar will never again enjoy a sleepless night before the first morning of a Test match. That feeling, as he will tell you, is unique. The word âenjoy' is used cautiously because for this great batsman, even the most stressful of times was enjoyment. And we enjoyed Tendulkar more than he enjoyed his success and challenges.
Once, he was a beast of a player. In 1998, during the Bangalore Test of the India vs Australia series, Dennis Lillee told this newspaper that if he were bowl to Tendulkar, he would have worn a helmet himself.
Of course, this was hyperbole, but Australia's greatest fast bowler was just giving us an idea of how destructive the batsman was.
Tendulkar mellowed with age. Some pundits reckoned he became an accumulator of runs - a far cry from an absolute destroyer of bowling attacks. But he survived in more ways than one and achieved whatever there was to accomplish in cricket.
Through 'Sach A Longu00a0Journey', we at MiD DAY have tried to take you on a guided tour of Tendulkar's career.
Hope you enjoy it even if The Thrill is Gone.
Clayton Murzello
Group Sports Editoru00a0
Introduction
Our Executive Editor Sachin Kalbag recalls interviewing Tendulkar back in 2003
Foreword
Former India coach John Wright writes the foreword for our special on Sachin Tendulkar
The joy of watching Sachinâ¦
Tom Alter on what makes one shut down everything to watch Tendulkar bat. Read onâ¦
December 11, 1988: How Sachin Tendulkar gave this current media personality his first break in journalism. Read onâ¦
Teacher Tendulkar
What they don't teach you at Harvard Business School, you can learn by watching Sachin. Read onâ¦
Good... so good
The late KN Prabhu saw a generation of stars. Here's what he wrote about Tendulkar in 2003. Read onâ¦
Chembur chai before Manchester magic
Former India swing bowler Balvinder Singh Sandhu recalls how Tendulkar discussed cricket with him at a tea shop after intense practice sessions at the RCF ground before his maiden tour of England in 1990. Read onâ¦
Sweet⦠sour⦠sweet!
Tendulkar reflects on his memorable moments and disappointments at Wankhede Stadium. Read onâ¦
The Sachin we know
Wankhede Stadium groundsmen recollect fond memories of the Little Master. Read onâ¦
Those encounters of the Tendulkar kind
Four well-travelled cricket writers recall their most memorable stories. Read onâ¦
Hungry off the field too!
It is not just runs and records that drive Sachin Tendulkar crazy. Discover the batting legend's affinity for various cuisines. Read onâ¦
âEnjoyed every on-field moment'
Sachin Tendulkar talks to celebrated writer Mike Coward in a special interview that occupies pride of place at the Bradman Museum and International Cricket Hall of Fame at Bowral in NSW, Australia. Read onâ¦
Home truth!
Sachin Tendulkar talks to Clayton Murzello on all his Mumbai Tests. Read onâ¦
Classic Cuts!
A look at some of Sachin Tendulkar's on-field delights over the years. View Photos...
Beyond bat & ball...
Sachin Tendulkar captured off the cricket field. View Photos...
That summer of Tendulkar!
Veteran photographer Patrick Eagar on the first time he zoomed in on the batting genius during India's 1990 tour of England. Read onâ¦
Look no farther, it's good ol' Dadar!
We bring you some places which the Little Master will have fond memories of. View Photos...
Mark of a man
Ian Chappell on Tendulkar's late agent and friend Mascarenhas, a great character who is missed dearly. Read onâ¦
Master class!
Sachin Tendulkar has fascinated cartoonists too. Here are a few...
Star and styles
How Sachin Tendulkar looked over the years. View Photosâ¦
