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Journalism of Courage
Sachins body of work cannot be weighed by just the numbers.
The sheer weight of the numbers Sachin Tendulkar has accumulated during the course of his 24-year Test career all but settles the all-time-greats debate. But when Tendulkar leaves,his absence will be as keenly felt in spheres of the game quite removed from its run-making aspect.
Tendulkar was,in a way,Indian crickets first celebrity. Largely staying away from controversy despite the singeing effects of media scrutiny,something that only increased in intensity towards the autumn of his career,Tendulkar was also perhaps the prototype that inspired later cricketers to successfully compartmentalise the game and aspects of superstardom. Dhoni,who was made captain at Tendulkars recommendation,is his own man,but Tendulkars presence and example certainly would have helped the captain,who has since gone on to become the most marketable face of the sport,in dealing with celebrity. All this does not even begin to go into the joy that Tendulkars play afforded his innumerable fans,teammates and,more often than not,opponents. In a debate so perforated by numbers,it is something as intangible as this that may settle the argument.
