SRT 200 ….Carnival at Wankhede

The moment Sachin Tendulkar announced that West Indies series is going to be his last test series, the whole nation went into frenzy. You could be anywhere in India; you could sense what an occasion that would be.

Just like any other cricket lover, we also started to plan about Sachin’s last test match. Tickets were going to be huge challenge given the kind of demand. It was always difficult to find the right resources to get you the ticket for this big occasion. We also managed to push our luck and follow crazily for the tickets. Our prayers were answered, since Rupesh managed to get the tickets on the eve of the match. I can not describe the joy which I got when I got tickets in my hand. In Sachin’s language it was terrific.

So we decided that we would go on the morning of the match. If India were to bat first then obviously we would stay there for the whole day, if not then we will be back in office. Dhoni won the toss and to the utter disappointment of the whole stadium; perhaps the nation, he chose to bowl first. It was not a popular decision in the stadium.The entire stadium although it was not packed to the capacity by 9 o clock, was already buzzing with the world famous chants of Sachinnnnnnnnnnnnn……………Sachinnnnnnnnnnnnnn……

It was simply awesome reception for Sachin when team entered the ground. Till he took his customary position at mid-on which was right below the north stand where we were sitting, the crowd was delirious at the first sign of master. The first ball was tapped to Sachin; moment he fielded the ball, the folks outside the stadium would have felt that wicket has fallen the first ball, such was the noise. 

So we waited for half an hour, then proceeded to the office. By 11 were in office. WI was playing sensibly in the first session. We headed for lunch in the office. WI were 4 down when we started our lunch but within half an hour itself, they were at 9 down. It was unbelievable. We were cursing ourselves for coming back. Soon WI were all out. 
That time me, Rohan decided that we have to rush to Wankhede else we might miss the master’s last innings, the occasion we were waiting for so long. 

It would have been very tough to forgive myself had I missed his last innings. So we took Vaibhav and along with couple of other cricket lovers from the office jumped into his carfor Wankhede. Vaibhav drove his alto like a Ferrari that day. He somehow managed to reach to his place to park his car, by then Shikhar Dhawan , Murali Vijay were going strong. 

We took a taxi from his place for Wankhede. I managed to put on the radio in the taxi to check the score,  my heart sank when I heard that Dhawan was gone ; it sank further when Vijay followed him sooner. I should have taken a picture of my face at that time when we missed the entry of the Master. I was already pathetic. When he was making his probably the last appearance on the field for doing what he has done throughout his life. Bat to give joy to the people of this country. We were so sad in the taxi to miss out on that, we were praying so heavily that he should be there till we reach the stadium. 

Somehow we managed to reach the Marine Lines ; we jumped 5-6 feet of divider to cross the road ; then the barricades put up by the police. I was not at all paying attention where Rohan was ; what was he doing. He was also doing the same. We were simply not bothered about the traffic, running cars, police, for that matter anything else. We simply rushed through the entrance saw the master hitting a crisp off drive for four. Me, Rohan joined Rupesh who was there all day. We were screaming at top of our voice just to see that drive. Master continued to carry on the way he normally does. Hitting crisp boundaries, showing solid defense. We were simply too happy to be there. I was telling myself you were really destined to see the Master for one last time.

The overnight score of 38 not out had whole world into the state of anxiety. Everyone was talking about how nice it would be if he can score a hundred for one last time. The second day morning the stadium was packed to the full capacity with Wankhede crowd going berserk with chants of Sachinnnnnn……….. Sachinnnnnn………..

The moment he entered to bat, not a bum was on its seat. They were all standing, applauding the master for every single run he had scored. It was simply thrilling to be part of that crowd. The best thing about that innings, I felt he was playing very very freely. I don’t think he was bothered about scoring a ton. He simply wanted to enjoy his batting. It was showing during his stay at the crease. Couple of risky shots and whole stadium had their heart in mouth but cheered on and  on. Till the time he tried that cute shot fell for brilliant catch in slip, he was playing like Sachin we knew. 

It happened so fast that the whole stadium was shocked and could not believe that Sachin has got out. But sooner crowed realized, this well might be the last time we would see him. Again the entire stadium was on its feet to see off the master. It was simply brilliant for the man who deserved all the accolades. 

The last day when WI managed to panic again and were bundled out in one session. The whole stadium packed to its capacity once again to get the final glimpse of the master. His speech was so very moving, so very touching. I managed to hold on the emotions throughout but moment he walked to bow to the pitch offered a NAMASKAR to the pitch, my eyes were wet, there was a lump in my throat and heart filled with emotions. 

The TV, YouTube clips will show you all that. You have to be in the Wankhede to see what was it like. The atmosphere, the buzz in the air, the deafening noise, the delirious fans screaming at top of their voice, children to senior citizens soaking the moment, all that had to be seen in person was there only in Wankhede. The speech he made I am sure he would have broken another of the record. There would be lots to talk, read, listen about this send off in and across the media throughout the cricketing world. 

I am willing to bet, this could easily be the best way to give send off to any sportsperson across the country, across the sports. India was seeing off its favorite son with an apt celebration. Wankhede was rocking. A banner read It was Diwali, Id, Christmas together at Wankhede for those three days. You might have felt this is bit over the board but Master you deserve every single bit of the celebration.

The manner in which everything panned out. Kudos to BCCI, MCA, all the organizers for putting up a great show. After India won the world cup in April 2011, Sachin said, I did not want to hog the limelight by announcing my retirement. Very few understood what he said that time. But had you seen last series of Sachin Tendulkar, you would very well understand what he meant. 

I was so lucky to be a part of the history in my own way.  I was so lucky to be in the ground, so lucky to bunk the office and go for the test match, so lucky to see the master for one last time, so lucky to be there when he gave that moving speech. 

So lucky to be a part of Wankhede Carnival….SRT 200. 

Thank you almighty. Thank You Sachin for memories.