Sachin Tendulkar:'All my friends, settle down let
me talk, I'll get more and more emotional.'The
crowd does berserk out there.'
'My Life Between 22 yards in the 24 years, it's hard to believe that it's coming to an end. I would like to thank all the people who have helped me in my life to get here. I have a list in my hand, please forgive me if I miss out on a few names. First, my father, he passed
away in 1999. He was very key for my career. he gave me freedom, chase your dreams and don't find shortcuts. He also told me to be a nice human being.
My Mother, I don't how she dealt with such a naughty like guy me. She took care of me to be healthy. She started praying for me even before I started my career and I think those prayers gave my strength. In my school days, I used to stay with my uncle and aunt as my school was far away. They treated me like their son. They gave me enough food that I can play well. My eldest brother, he used to tell me, I know you'd do everything right and I have the confidence in you.
My sister, she gave my the first bat for me. A Kashmir Willow bat.
She continues to fast when I bat. Ajit, I don't what do I talk about him.
It all started from the age of 11, he took to Achrekar sir my coach. And my life changed. Even last night, he called me and we were discussing my dismissal. Various things we agreed upon, my technique. I have had a lot of chat with him. If I had not done that, I would have been a lesser cricketer. The most important one in 1991, I met my wife Anjali. I know she was a doctor. When we decided to make it a family, she said, you continue with your cricket and I'll take care of the family. Without that I think I couldn't have played so much cricket. Thank you for all that you've done and it is the best partnership I've had in my life.
Then Sara and Arjun are two precious diamonds in
my life. Daughter is 16 and son is 14, time has
flown by. I wasn't able to be with them for the
birthdays, annaul days and stuff. Thanks for
understanding all that, both of you have been so
special to me. I've not spent enough time with you
but I promise you the rest is for you. My in-laws
have been supporting. I discuss various things with
them, we have a strong family and thank you for
allowing me to marry Anjali. There have been a lot
of friends who have supported me. Leaving their
work and coming to bowl at me when I called
them. I thought my career was over when I was
injured, by my friends called even at 3 AM and
made me believe that it was not over. My career
started at 11. My brother took me to Achrekar sir
and that is the best to have happened to me. Sir
would be taking me on his scooter all over Mumbai
to ensure that I get enough match practice. On a
lighter note, he's never said well played to me so
that I don't get complacent.'
'When Dhoni gave me the 200th Test cap, I just
said, we are all proud to be here as a team and I
believe that you guys will take care of this country
in the right spirit to the best of our abilities. I
believe in you and all the best for your future.
Thanks to all the doctors, physios, without your
special efforts, I couldn't have been fit. I don't
know how you all kept me in good shape. My dear
friend, late Mark Mascerenhas, my first manager.
Without him I couldn't have achieved all this. All
those sponsorship deals etc.. thanks for your
support. I miss you. My manager Vinod Naidu, he's
more like my family. He's given me so much time
leaving his family to work with him. In the school
days when I played well, the media backed be a
lot. You've been doing that till now. Thank you to
all of you, all those photographers. Those moments
will remain with me for the career. I thank all the
people who supported me a lot. Whether I scored a
0 or a 100. I've met a lot of people who does all
sorts of things for me, thank you for all that you've
done. Especially,'Sachin... Sachin..'that will be
ringing in my ears till I breath. Thank you very
much. I am sorry if I have missed out on anything.
Good bye.'
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