The Bansi Lal Cricket Stadium wore a deserted look not long after Sachin Tendulkar left with his Mumbai teammates after beating hosts Haryana in their Ranji Trophy opener here yesterday afternoon.
Few of the die-hards had a sad look on their faces. And for good reason! The man who they wanted to see all their life had left. In all probability they would never see him again.
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Each morning of the game and the day before it, thousands gathered to see him leave the Canal Guest House and he got a similar reception when he returned. Without doubt, Tendulkar will never forget that hysteria. Nor will the fans.
The master batsman couldn’t have asked for a better farewell from first-class cricket and he paid the fans back for all what they showered on him over his five-day stay. Yesterday, he obliged every autograph hunter. They went home delighted, yet sad. That’s what enduring heroes do to you.
Ranbir Singh Mahendra, the former BCCI president said, the fact that this was Tendulkar’s farewell domestic match is enough motivation to build a great stadium.
Ajay Jadeja, the Haryana captain-cum-coach provided the best quote of the match. “We fought hard,” he said. “But how long can you fight against God? God took us away.”u00a0
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