In what was one of the most inspiring speeches heard from a sportsperson in recent memory, Sachin Tendulkar bid an emotional farewell to the game at the end of his 200th Test, at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Saturday (November 16). Here is the full transcript of his retirement speech:
All my friends, settle down let me talk. I will get more and more emotional. It’s hard to believe my wonderful journey is coming to an end. My life between 22 yards for 24 years has come to an end. I have a list of names to thank. If I forget someone, I hope you’ll understand. It’s getting difficult to talk, but I will manage.
The most important person in my life, and I miss him a lot since 1999 when he passed away, is my father. Without his guidance, I don’t think I would have been standing in front of you. He gave me freedom and he told me, ‘Chase your dreams, but don’t try to 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. I miss him today.
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 was that her child remained safe and healthy, and fit. That’s what she was most bothered 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 prayed and I think her prayers and her blessings have given me the strength to perform. So a big thank you to my mother for all the sacrifices.
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 own son. I would be half asleep and my aunt would be giving 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 he said, whatever you do, I know you will give 100%, and that I have full faith and confidence in you. His encouragement meant a lot to me. My sister Savita and her family were no different. My first cricket bat 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? We have lived this dream together, he sacrificed his career for me. He noticed the spark in me, and it all started at the age of 11 when he took me to Achrekar sir, my coach, and from there on, my life changed. You will find this hard to believe, but even last night he called me 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 on, my technique, and so many technical things which we didn’t agree. 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 that being a doctor there was a big career in front of her. But she decided that I should continue playing and she took care of the children. Without that, I don’t think I would have been able to play cricket freely and without stress. Thanks for bearing with me for all the nonsense I’ve said, and the things I have done, when I have been frustrated and for always staying by my side. You’re the best partnership I have had in my life.
Then the two precious diamonds of my life, my daughter Sara is 16 and my son Arjun is 14. Time has flown by. I wanted to spend so much time with them on special occasions. I’ve missed out on several birthdays, holidays, annual days … I know for 14-16 years I’ve not spent enough time with you. But I promise you I will spend the next 16 years or more with you.
My in-laws Anand Mehta and Annabelle, both have been so, so supportive, loving and caring. I’ve discussed several things with them. 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 allow me to marry Anjali.
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 made terrific contributions. 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. 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 am 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 Achrekar sir in the stands. Normally he sits in front of the television. When I was a kid, I would sit on the back of 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. On a lighter note, sir hasn’t said “well played” to me in the last 29 years, because he thought I would be complacent. But maybe he can push his luck and wish me well done on my career now, 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.
I started my career here in Mumbai. I remember landing from New Zealand at 4 am and playing a Ranji game at 8 am, not because someone forced me to, but 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 on the screen Rahul, VVS, Sourav and Anil — who is not here – and my team-mates right here with me. You’re my family away from home. It’s going to be difficult not sharing the dressing room together. 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 presented the 200th Test cap, I had a message to the team, I would like to repeat that. I said we are all so proud to be representing the nation. I hope to continue to serve the nation with dignity. I have full faith that you will serve the country in the right spirit. 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 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 my cricket, and especially, Indian cricket. He understood what it takes to represent a nation and gave me all the space to go out and express myself, and never pressurized 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 Naidu. 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’ve continued to do that till this moment. Thank you so much to all the media, for supporting me and appreciating my performances. It surely had a positive effect on me. And thank you to all the photographers as well for capturing all those moments that will stay with me for the rest of my life. A big thank you.
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’ve scored zero or a hundred. Your support was so dear to me and it meant a lot to me. Whatever you’ve done for me – I’ve met so many guys who have fasted for me, prayed for me, done all sorts of things for me. Without all that, life wouldn’t have been like this for me. A warm thank you from the bottom of my heart and I also want to say that time has flown by rather quickly, but the memories that you’ve left with me will always be with me forever and ever. Especially ‘Sa-chin! Sa-chin!’ – that will reverberate in my ears till I stop breathing.
Thank you so much.
- Sachin Tendulkar
16th Nov 2013
