!15/11/89 Where It Has Began 15/11/13 Is Where It Ended !

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BACKFOOT PUNCH: He is on his toes, and you are on your feet. It is a rising delivery, and the champion needs that extra height, as he places the weight on the back foot. Ooh la la. Bat goes under the ball, to meet its destiny. Four runs to the bowler. Take it. It’s a gift.

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STRAIGHT DRIVE: The heavy bat is handled like a feather. Foot out to the pitch of the delivery, Tendulkar steps forward, to meet the ball at just the right time. The full face of the bat is presented, with the man’s short forearms, featuring prominently. One essential feature is the head- that remains still at all times. Watching the bat move from the back lift to the follow through, the high elbow, and the man’s pose with poise, post the shot, is something that will be missed.

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SQUARE CUT: Mr.Tendulkar has understood that the ball has been sent in short, and that there is room outside the off-stump. He bends his knees, moves onto the back foot, getting on top of the ball, to send the cherry to the point boundary. Why can’t we hear the applause?

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DOWN THE TRACK: You remember the leg spinner who came from around the wicket. Sachin Tendulkar dances down the track, and goes inside out. Only to smash it over the long on boundary. With a follow through to accompany the look of disbelief on the bowler’s face. He has done it against Glenn McGrath as well. Kya bat hai!

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COVER DRIVE: The transfer of weight is excellent. The ball is pitched outside the off stump, and once Mr.Tendulkar understands the length, he executes the stroke. Lovely balance. Shoulders moving diagonally, front foot forward, pointing at one o’clock, back foot parallel to the crease. Ball says hello to the bat, goodbye to the bowler, before kissing the cover boundary. Don’t you just love the follow through?

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UPPER CUT: Another Sachin Tendulkar delicacy. The bowler has bent his back, and the batting ace knows that there is no third man. As the ball rises, he either bends his knees, or gets closer to off stump. Once he gets the bat under the ball, it is time to establish contact. Eyeballs in the slip cordon, as well as the one belonging to the wicketkeeper, follow the ball’s trajectory as it crosses the fence

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LOFTED SHOT: Sachin Tendulkar transfers the weight out onto the front foot, gets the timing right, to lift the ball in the air. Over the batsman’s head. As a million heads applaud, he keeps his head and follow through still, as the photographers decided to start clicking.

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PADDLE SWEEP: The ball is pitched on leg stump, and there is an opportunity for Tendulkar to test the waters with his paddle sweep. The premeditated shot was used well by the ace when he wanted the fielder at fine leg to make a run for it. The wicketkeeper clearly has the best view. Doesn't he?

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FLICK: The ball has been pitched on leg stump. Watch how he turns his bat, pad moving backwards, rolling his wrists over the ball. How about some hip hip hurray for the follow through.