Suggestions that Sachin Tendulkar has achieved the final frontier are a tad over-simplifying his singular outstanding act of setting a world record in Test centuries. Is it not a touch jingoistic? Leaving a question of whether there is nothing else to achieve. Well that is the way it has been presented after eclipsing Sunil Gavaskar's achievement. But it is also a matter of saying that having reached one pinnacle by scoring 35 Test centuries that he is about to quit as there are no further records to set. This is where all the 'final frontier' comments are all so cockeyed. It makes me wonder why such metaphors are needed when the man, at 32, surely has a few more records to set – or, in the vernacular of one popular TV space programme 'Go where no one has gone before'. First there is the record number of Test runs and extending his list of centuries that will set challenges to current and future Test batsmen. As the only white (honorary) South Asian seated at the organised chaos that was the media conference after the big day, it was a privilege to be able to watch him in action on the field and behind the microphone, carefully fielding questions as though he was swatting a Shane Warne flipper. There were the chirpy comments and the sentimental moments as well, and that is good as it showed the quiet demeanour of the man; a gentle nature that is part of his off-field psyche. Opposing bowlers and fieldsmen though see a different Tendulkar. He is the committed run-maker, the calculator churning out runs with deft and classic touches. Unlike Don Bradman, Tendulkar has done it in all parts of the globe. For those interested in facts, The Don's Test performances were in only Australia and England. The only time he has played in this part of the world was in Colombo in 1930 and again in 1948 while he also played in the United States and Canada (1931/32) as part of an extended honeymoon with Jessie. Organised chaosWhat has been discovered on this New Delhi sojourn is the other beguiling face of the city. Despite the organised chaos of the city's traffic and taxi drivers mistaking geography (not too sure how Ferozshah Kotla sounded like Nehru Stadium), the parks, and general leafy-style sharp winter chill; appearance makes for that sought-after ambience during an interesting detour to the venue. Yet more interesting is how an intricate engineering job, such as building the city's Metro, has not added to the traffic hassles. Bet you won't find such consideration in other cluttered cities as Colombo, Johannesburg or Dhaka. Each morning on the way to this second Test it becomes more apparent how the work is going on in an unfussy manner. But tourists often see New Delhi through a rose-tinted vision and the smiling faces of the city's charming gentle feminine side that makes a lasting impression. They make up for the brusque officialdom that is so often a blip on the daily rounds of visiting places that attract. But then, perhaps, it largely depends on who you are dealing with. Some of us are more fortunate with who we meet and come in contact. Now into the 50th year as a newspaperman, travel makes you appreciate how other cultures and their myriad styles of ancient and modern encapsulates all that is excitingly different. India is a rare, if at times quixotic paradise that entices embraces those of us with a sanguine spirit and touches of bonhomie.
