16th November 2013 will always be an emotional day for every cricket fan. Sachin Tendulkar retired from the game after playing his 200th and final Test match. India beat West Indies by an innings and 126 runs to register a 2-0 series win. The match wasn’t important, nor the series, but the most important aspect was Sachin Tendulkar’s final few moments as an India player.
When Mohammed Shami castled Shannon Gabriel for a seven-ball duck, the cameras panned to Sachin Tendulkar. The then 40-year-old was in tears as there were huge chants of "Sachin…Sachin" at the famed Wankhede Stadium. MS Dhoni and the rest of the players had given Tendulkar a standing ovation as he was walking off the park for the final time.
https://x.com/BCCI/status/1063287053046112256
When one man walks, Billion cried 🥺
— 𝐇𝐀𝐊𝐔𝐍𝐀-𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐀 (@noworriesbehpy) November 16, 2023
(On this day, 10yrs ago, Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar announced his retirement and bid goodbye to international cricket.) pic.twitter.com/eB4u6MTgYD
Darren Sammy, who was leading West Indies on that tour, didn’t celebrate the wicket of Tendulkar. India’s master batter was batting on 74 when he tried to late cut a ball from Narsingh Deonarine that was caught by Sammy. As gloom descended in Mumbai, the master blaster turned around and acknowledged the crowd.
Sachin Tendulkar’s final address to the crowd in Mumbai
Once the match ended, the cameras panned to the crowd with moist eyes in the stands. Sudhir Gautam, who has been a regular at India’s games, was seen waving the Indian flag with full vigour. Sudhir Gautam and Sachin Tendulkar shared a special bond as the latter knew how much sacrifices Gautam had made to follow his passion.
#OnThisDay in 2013
— 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒔 (@Shebas_10dulkar) November 15, 2023
The Journey of 34357 runs came to an End, 𝗦𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗹𝗸𝗮𝗿 played his final inning at his home ground & Scored 74!
After taking a catch, Darren Sammy's eyes were full of tears. That was one of the great gesture of Respect shown by any… pic.twitter.com/tYbrrxuu1r
Sachin Tendulkar took the microphone and said, “It's hard to believe my wonderful journey is coming to an end. I've a list of names to thank. The first is my father, who passed away in 1999. Without his guidance I wouldn't be standing in front of you. he said 'chase your dreams, don't give up, the path will be difficult.' I miss him today. My mom, I don't know how she managed a naughty child like me. She just prayed and prayed from the day I started playing the game. For four years I stayed with my uncle and aunt when in school, they treated me like their own son.”
Indian batting legend also thanked his wife, his children, and his in-laws during the course of his post-match interaction. Tendulkar also praised and thanked his former coach Shri Ramakant Achrekar for the profound impact on his career.
Finally, Tendulkar said, “Thanks to all the senior cricketers who have played with me. We see on the screen Rahul, VVS, Sourav, Anil who is not here. All the coaches. I know when MS presented the 200th Test cap, I had a message to the team - 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. I know my speech has become long. I want to thank people who have flown in from different parts of the world. I want to thank my fans from the bottom of my heart. "Sachin, Sachin" will reverberate in my ears till I stop breathing.”
At the end of the speech, Tendulkar took a lap of the ground and was picked on his shoulders by Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni. The final image of Tendulkar in India’s jersey saw him walk up to the pitch, touch it and walk back with tears in his eyes. That walk ended India’s greatest match-winner's journey as a professional cricketer.