All
my friends. Settle down let me talk, I will get more and more
emotional. My life, between 22 yards for 24 years, it is hard to believe
that that wonderful journey has come to an end, but I would like to
take this opportunity to thank people who have played an important role
in my life. Also, for the first time in my life I am carrying this list,
to remember all the names in case I forget someone. I hope you
understand. It’s getting a little bit difficult to talk but I will
manage.
The most important person in my life, and I have missed
him a lot since 1999 when he passed away, my father. Without his
guidance, I don’t think I would have been standing here in front of you.
He gave me freedom at the age of 11, and told me that [I should] chase
my dreams, but make sure you do not find shortcuts. The path might be
difficult but don’t give up, and I have simply followed his
instructions. Above all, he told me to be a nice human being, which I
will continue to do and try my best. Every time I have done something
special [and] showed my bat, it was [for] my father.
My mother, I
don’t know how she dealt with such a naughty child like me. I was not
easy to manage. She must be extremely patient. For a mother, the most
important thing is that her child remains safe and healthy and fit. That
was what she was most bothered and worried about. She took care of me
for the last 24 years that I have played for India, but even before that
she started praying for me the day I started playing cricket. She just
prayed and prayed and I think her prayers and blessings have given me
the strength to go out and perform, so a big thank you to my mother for
all the sacrifices.
In my school days, for four years, I stayed
with my uncle and aunt because my school was quite far from my home, and
they treated me like their son. My aunt, after having had a hard day’s
play, I would be half asleep and she would be feeding me food so I could
go again and play tomorrow. I can’t forget these moments. I am like
their son and I am glad it has continued to be the same way.
My
eldest brother, Nitin, and his family, have always encouraged me. My
eldest brother doesn’t like to talk much, but the one thing he always
told me is that whatever you do, I know you will always give it 100%,
and that I have full faith and confidence in you. His encouragement
meant a lot to me. My sister, Savita, and her family, was no different.
The first cricket bat of my life was presented to me by my sister. It
was a Kashmir willow bat. But that is where the journey began. She is
one of those many who still continue to fast when I bat, so thank you
very much.
Ajit, my brother, now what do I talk about him? I don’t
know. We have lived this dream together. He was the one who sacrificed
his career for my cricket. He spotted the spark in me. And it all
started from the age of 11 when he took me to Archrekar sir, my coach,
and from there on my life changed. You will find this hard to believe
but even last night he called to discuss my dismissal, knowing that
there was a remote chance of batting again, but just the habit we have
developed, the rapport we have developed, since my birth, has continued
and it will continue. Maybe when I’m not playing cricket we will still
be discussing technique.
Various things we agreed upon, my
technique, and so many technical things which I didn’t agree with him,
we have had arguments and disagreements, but when I look back at all
these things in my life, I would have been a lesser cricketer.
The
most beautiful thing happened to me in 1990 when I met my wife, Anjali.
Those were special years and it has continued and will always continue
that way. I know Anjali, being a doctor; there was a wonderful career in
front of her. When we decided to have a family, Anjali took the
initiative to step back and say that ‘you continue with your cricket and
I will take the responsibility of the family’.
Without that, I
don’t think I would have been able to play cricket freely and without
stress. Thanks for bearing with all my fuss and all my frustrations, and
all sorts of rubbish that I have spoken. Thanks for bearing with me and
always staying by my side through all the ups and downs. You are the
best partnership I’ve had in my life.
Then, the two precious
diamonds of my life, Sara and Arjun. They have already grown up. My
daughter is 16, my son is 14. Time has flown by. I wanted to spend so
much time with them on special occasions like their birthdays, their
annual days, their sports day, going on holidays, whatever. I have
missed out on all those things. Thanks for your understanding. Both of
you have been so, so special to me you cannot imagine. I promise you
[that] for 14 and 16 years I have not spent enough time with both of
you, but the next 16 years or even beyond that, everything is for you.
My
in-laws, Anand Mehta and Annabel, both have been so, so supportive,
loving and caring. I have discussed on various things in life, generally
with them, and have taken their advice. You know, it’s so important to
have a strong family who is always with you and who are guiding you.
Before you start clapping, the most important thing they did was
allowing me to marry Anjali, so thank you very much.
In the last
24 years that I have played for India I have made new friends, and
before that I have had friends from my childhood. They have all had a
terrific contribution. As and when I have called them to come and bowl
to me at the nets, they have left their work aside to come and help me.
Be it joining me on holidays and having discussions with me on cricket,
or how I was a little stressed and wanting to find a solution so I can
perform better.
All those moments my friends were with me. Even
for when I was injured, I would wake up in the morning because I
couldn’t sleep and thought that my career was over because of injuries,
that is when my friends have woken up at 3 o’clock in the morning to
drive with me and make me believe that my career was not over. Life
would be incomplete without all those friends. Thanks for being there
for me.
My
cricket
career started when I was 11. The turning point of my career was when
my brother (Ajit) took me to Achrekar sir. I was extremely delighted to
see him up in the stands. Normally he sits in front of the television
and he watches all the games that I play. When I was 11/12, those were
the days when I used to hop back on his scooter and play a couple of
practice matches a day. The first half the innings I would be batting at
Shivaji Park, the second half, at some other match in Azad Maidan. He
would take me all over Mumbai to make sure I got match practice.
On
a lighter note, in the last 29 years, sir has never ever said ‘well
played’ to me because he thought I would get complacent and I would stop
working hard. Maybe he can push his luck and wish me now, well done on
my career, because there are no more matches, sir, in my life. I will be
witnessing cricket, and cricket will always stay in my heart, but you
have had an immense contribution in my life, so thank you very much.
My
cricket for Mumbai started right here on this ground, the Mumbai
Cricket Association (MCA), which is so dear to me. I remember landing
from New Zealand at four o’clock in the morning, and turning up for a
game here at eight o’clock just because I wanted to be a part of Mumbai
cricket, and not that somebody forced me. That was for the love of
Mumbai cricket, and thank you very much. The president is here so thank
you very much, along with your team, for taking care of me and looking
after my cricket.
The dream was obviously to play for India, and
that is where my association with BCCI started. BCCI was fantastic,
right from my debut they believed in my ability and selecting me into
the squad at the age of 16 was a big step, so thanks to all the
selectors for having faith in me and the BCCI for giving me the freedom
to express myself out in the middle. Things would have been different if
you had not been behind me, and I really appreciate your support.
Especially when I was injured, you were right with me and making sure
that all the treatments were taken care of, and that I got fit and fine
and playing [right] back for India.
The journey has been special,
the last 24 years, I have played with many senior cricketers, and even
before that there were many senior cricketers with whom I watched on
television. They inspired me to play cricket, and to play in the right
way. Thanks to all those senior cricketers, and unfortunately I have not
been able to play with them, but I have high regards for all their
achievements and all their contributions.
We see it on the
mega-screen, Rahul, Laxman, Sourav, and Anil, who is not here, and my
team-mates right here in front me. You are like my family away from
home. I have had some wonderful times with you. It is going to be
difficult to not be part of the dressing room, sharing those special
moments. All the coaches for their guidance, it has been special for me.
I know when
MS Dhoni presented
me the 200th Test match cap on Day One morning. I had a brief message
for the team. I would like to repeat that. I just feel that all of us
are so, so fortunate and proud to be part of the Indian cricket team and
serving the nation.
Knowing all of you guys, I know you will
continue to serve the nation in the right spirit and right values. I
believe we have been the lucky ones to be chosen by the Almighty to
serve this sport. Each generation gets this opportunity to take care of
this sport and serve it to the best of our ability. I have full faith in
you to continue to serve the nation in the right spirit and to the best
of your ability, to bring all the laurels to the country. All the very
best.
I would be failing in my duties if I did not thank all the
doctors, the physios, the trainers, who have put this difficult body
together to go back on the field and be able to play. The amount of
injuries that I have had in my career, I don’t know how you have managed
to keep me fit, but without your special efforts, it would never have
happened. The doctors have met me at weird hours. I mean I have called
them from Mumbai to Chennai, Mumbai to Delhi, I mean wherever. They have
just taken the next flight and left their work and families to be with
me, which has allowed me to play. So a big thank you to all three of you
for keeping me in good shape.
My dear friend, late Mark
Mascarenhas, my first manager. We unfortunately lost him in a car
accident in 2001, but he was such a well-wisher of cricket, my cricket,
and especially Indian cricket. He was so passionate. He understood what
it takes to represent a nation and gave me all the space to go out and
express myself, and never pressurised me to do this ad or promotion or
whatever the sponsors demanded. He took care of that and today I miss
him, so thank you Mark for all your contribution.
My current
management team, WSG, for repeating what Mark has done, because when I
signed the contract I exactly told them what I want from them, and what
it requires to represent me. They have done that and respected that.
Someone
who has worked closely with me for 14 years is my manager, Vinod
Nayudu. He is more like my family and all the sacrifices, spending time
away from his family for my work, has been special, so big thank you to
his family as well for giving up so much time for my work with Vinod.
In
my school days, when I performed well, the media backed me a lot. They
continue to do that till this morning. Thank you so much to the media
for supporting and appreciating my performances. It surely had a
positive effect on me. Thank you so much to all the photographers as
well for those wonderfully captured moments that will stay with me for
the rest of my life, so a big thank you to all the photographers.
I
know my speech is getting a bit too long, but this is the last thing I
want to say. I want to thank all the people here who have flown in from
various parts of the world, and have supported me endlessly, whether I
scored a 0 or a 100-plus. Your support was so dear to me and meant a lot
to me. Whatever you have done for me.
I know I have met so many
guys who have fasted for me, prayed for me, done so much for me. Without
that life wouldn’t have been like this for me. I want to thank you from
the bottom of my heart, and also say that time has flown by rather
quickly, but the memories you have left with me will always be with me
forever and ever, especially “Sachin, Sachin” which will reverberate in
my ears till I stop breathing. Thank you very much. If I have missed out
on saying something, I hope you understand. Goodbye.
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