October 10, 2013. You announced retirement from test cricket. For a person like me, who grew up watching you bat for the last 20 years of my life, this is like sticking in time with you. I just can't describe how I felt when I heard about your decision to retire. I just felt weak as if I have lost everything I had. Almost 2/3rd of our country'
s population have no idea of cricket which doesn't involve you. I grew up falling in love with you and cricket. Your name is just a synonym for greatness. Your success or failures were attached to my heart. No matter, how you played the only thing which remained consistently on my wishlist was to watch you even more. I picked various debates with my friends when they spoke anything ill about you. You are greater than stats show about you. You won billions of hearts across the world. Watching you bat was moment of perfection, happiness, and undescribable joy for me.
Last night, I got scared thinking about the situation that will happen when India play test matches next year and 2nd wicket will fall. That will be one of the most nightmare situations I can imagine. Not being able to watch you in the middle of the ground. Unnatural silence will prevail. Players come and go, but someone like you come once in a lifetime. Playing consistently for almost quarter of a century: I don't know how to describe this. You have been a true ambassador of cricket. The smile, joy and humiliation which you brought on ground were some hundred thousand times greater than your achievements. I want to thank you the countless happy memories you provided to me. You have been an integral part of my life. In this ever changing world, you have been a real constant.
When you went out to bat, the whole world stood still. I often bunked school to watch you bat. I prayed all the way up for you success. Since my childhood days, I used to wake up on India's matches day and the only wish I used to have that day was may you make a century today. You were such a genius, dedicated, disciplined and determined human being. I am supremely confident that It will take centuries for the world to find someone like you. You showed me the importance of discipline and sincerity. You taught me not to give up, how to be focussed, how to compete in the world, how to work hard etc. You have been a life changer for me in all possible good ways. You have been a true role model for all the youngsters all across the world. I think I was just too lucky to have witnessed you and your batting and it saddens me a lot that next generation won't. They may know you through books, videos, pictures, statistics etc. But, they won't be able to have the first hand experience as We did. You have been a superhero of my times. You may retire from the sports, but never from our hearts.
I don't want to enumerate all my favourite moments of you and best innings of you as they are countless and all of them were just extraordinary. You were the most perfect batsman. You are much more than cricket. You traverse all souls. The world will not be able to forget you. When you went out to bat people switched on the television sets and switched off their lives. You made me take the radio set to school on the days India had cricket matches. I used to get anxious on every ball you faced. My ears just grew more powerful doing that. When you used to get out, It looked like the world ended. Watchig you gave aesthetic pleasure. You were One of those players whom even my late grandmom used to recognize. You are a real gem. Cricket will mourn your loss, ever. I want to thank God and my mom for making me contemporary to you.
I just can't describe everything you gave to me, because there are no words available for them.
In short, you gave me the world.
With love, respect and admiration.
-- From a Cricket fan.
