"Tigers gatecrash Tendulkar's party"
Photo: AFP
What is being projected as Sachin Tendulkar's 100th international ton is essentially his 49th ODI century! By clubbing all Test and ODI centuries of Sachin together, it is being established that his innings of 152 against the minnows Namibia at Peitermaritzburg during 2003 World Cup is at par with his innings of 148 not out at Sydney Test against the mighty Australians in 1992! If this is indeed an "honour" or another "feather in the cap" of Sachin, then so be it! Now that Sachin has at last come up with that elusive 100th ton; we will cleverly, zealously and "patriotically" forget his consistent drastic failures in both Tests and ODIs through series after series and also not mind a bit even if India fails to win the Asia Cup! After all personal milestones and statistical jugglery get accorded much higher priority than the welfare of the team in this cricket-fanatic nation named India! So, no question arises regarding gate crashing of Sachin's party! Rather, we will definitely rejoice over a personal record by completing ignoring the hard reality that the "mighty" Indians have got defeated atrociously by the brave Bangalees who might fare lowly as far as hype is concerned, but possesses a much larger and gallant heart than the Indians. Since the selfish mission of the spent-force has ultimately got achieved at the expense of fortunes of the team, Sachin should call it a day immediately after the ongoing Asia Cup and pave way for new blood. Else he should be promptly sacked from the team. However, it is too much to be expected from the hypocrite selectors and the Board mandarins who do not hesitate in barbarically forcing the "aged" Sourav Ganguly to quit the arena in 2008 despite the southpaw's average of 54 in his last Test series; but allow the "kid" Sachin the luxury of retiring on his own terms, even in 2012, despite string of scandalous failures!
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