Sachin Tendulkar, the most legendary of players, ended his career on his final day of play, November 16, 2013. The match was India versus the West Indies, and it was held at the famous Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Tendulkar made 74 runs and helped the MS Dhoni-led Indian team to an innings win by 126 runs in his final Test match.
On Sunday, while speaking at the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Wankhede Stadium, Sachin revealed that he had made a special request of then BCCI president N. Srinivasan, asking that the last match be held in Mumbai so that his mother could see him play live for the first and last time.
“Before it was announced, I approached the president of the BCCI, Mr. Srinivasan, and made one request. I said, ‘I want my last match to be here in Mumbai, for one very reason- I have been playing cricket for so many years, 24 years, for India, 5 to 6 years before that, totalling about 30 years. My mother had never seen me play in 30 years; and at that time her health was such that she couldn’t travel. Therefore, she really could never get to any other venue but Wankhede Stadium. I therefore made a request on an emotional basis- mother, my last wish, please sit here and see me just once why I am leaving after 24 years. The last wish should be fulfilled. BCCI graciously agreed and kept the match here,” Sachin said.
The highest run-scorer in Tests and ODIs turned emotional as he remembered the India-West Indies Test played at Wankhede Stadium from November 14 to 16 in 2013.
“But that match, in fact, was a very, very emotional moment for me because after so many years, I knew that this is the last time in my life. It’s never going to happen again. But on the first day, when my batting came, in the evening, I still remember, you know, while fighting with all those emotions, I had walked out to bat. The West Indies team also gave a lot of respect. All the spectators gave a very good reception. So all these emotional moments were there for me. My eyes were slightly misty. There were a little bit of tears in my eyes, but I had to focus and above all, bat.”
The 51-year-old cricketer also revealed a funny incident about his farewell Test: “Just as I was about to walk in for the last over, there was a close-up image of my mother on the mega screen. My mother is not aware she is being shown on the mega screen. And when she realized that it was a close-up shot on the big screen and that was before the last over, I thought this is how she got here. Because after the sixth ball, the camera moved toward Anjali and my kids and all my family members. And I have one question. The director inside who was guiding the cameraman, did he have a West Indian passport? Because he was acting in favour of the West Indian team? He was playing with my emotions. I was looking to survive,” he recalled.
“And then once the match got over, I spoke, and at the lap, where the players lifted me on their shoulders, it was surreal. These things are unplanned. It is written from above. The story is written from above. And the way you showered your love on me and that one experience are things that I will cherish till the last breath. It is the kind of thing that will stay with me till I die; it is almost like what I said, the name of Sachin will reverberate till the time I breathe,” he added.
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