In home stretch,son Arjun joins father Sachin Tendulkar’s farewell parade

But when the father is Sachin Tendulkar and the work-place Wankhede Stadium,a teenagers day out in the company of a few affectionate uncles can become the talking point,the focus of all cameras and by evening the story of the day.

Arjun Tendulkars extended celebration after getting a rather half-serious Amit Mishra to edge a swinging ball had Sachin asking his son to turn back and bowl. When Ishant Sharma fulfilled Arjuns wish of marking his run-up with a measuring tape,just like international cricketers,Tendulkar Sr. intervened again. The junior was asked to drop the act and,once again,told to turn back and bowl.

During his staggered batting session he was on the pitch thrice in two hours Tendulkar kept an eye on his little boy. Days away from pulling the curtains down on a life hes lived out of the suitcase when back-to-back cricket tours constantly interrupted normal family life Tendulkar has already started playing the doting parent.

As he stood behind the nets watching his sons not quite copybook approach to the stumps,it seemed likely that the celebrated cricketer would now be spotted frequently on the junior circuit,where his son is attempting a Mumbai comeback.

Tendulkar,on Tuesday,wasnt the batsman who,like old times,left the nets last. He didnt take high catches,nor did he sprint between cones. After the long,gruelling run,Tendulkar was finally ambling. The enduring internal duel between his stubborn will and his ageing,injury-ridden body was finally over,it seemed. Tomorrow will be a new day and maybe the match-eve tensions might trigger the old routine. But today Tendulkar,finally,was on a recliner.

Burden off shoulders

Reports quoting family members have also hinted that the burden of more than two decades has lifted from the famous shoulders. Tendulkars mother-in-law,Annabel Mehta,speaking to The Telegraph said:

Since he announced his retirement,I havent seen him more happy and relaxed for a long time. I think really its a big burden off his shoulders. We dont believe in saying good luck so today I just said enjoy it and he smiled and pulled a little bit of a face which suggested that he will but hell also be glad when it is all over!

Next to the nets,after his second batting session,this time facing throwdowns,Tendulkar was having fun and once again making faces the ever-smiling,moustache-twirling Shikhar Dhawan was the perfect listener. Still padded up he moved to coach Duncan Fletcher for a brief chat. The casualness of the conversation didnt suggest they were discussing strategy. Tendulkar was again playing the father,narrating the exploits of,or some funny anecdote relating to,his son.

Around the relaxed Tendulkar,there were tense men,some trying to find their feet on the Test arena and some aspiring to become the undisputed No.1 batsman in the team. Virat Kohli,who missed out at Kolkata,a soft dismissal ending his innings after hed made just 3,was involved in a long cricketing discussion with MS Dhoni. Rohit Sharma too was on the square,keeping to himself. In the form of his life,he didnt need any talking or tweaking. In a months time,India will be in South Africa,starting a Test series without Tendulkar. Dhoni will have to take a call if it will be the in-form Rohit or the more reliable Kohli pencilled in after No.3 Cheteshwar Pujara. The No.4 spot comes with a reputation. In this case it isnt just about being the slot for the best batsman in the team. In this case,its occupant will also be seen as Tendulkars replacement.

In the bowling department too,there was ambiguity about the hierarchy. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami are sure to share the new ball at Mumbai but that might not be the case in South Africa. Umesh Yadav and Ishant Sharma did bowl after Bhuvneshwar and Shami but not much can be read into it.

But Tendulkars towering presence dwarfed all these issues,reducing them to illegible scribbles on the margin. While the players were training,workers,balancing themselves on the stadium roof,were pulling huge posters,each with a photograph and a three digit number associated with a Tendulkar ton. In Tendulkars 200th Test,Mumbai Cricket Association wants the home fans to revisit each of his 51 Test centuries.

By the time Tendulkar left the field,with Arjun following,the men tied to the harness had managed to lift 15 centuries to the roof. It takes time and toil to even compile and exhibit Tendulkars weighty body of work. No doubt,it wasnt just another day at office at the Wankhede.