Sachin Tendulkar

All my friends. Settle down let me talk, I will get more and more emotional (crowd
gets louder as he composes himself). My life, between 22 yards for 24 years, it is
hard to believe that that wonderful journey has come to an end, but I would like
to take this opportunity to thank people who have played an important role in
my life. Also, for the first time in my life I am carrying this list, to remember all
the names in case I forget someone. I hope you understand. It's getting a little
bit difficult to talk but I will manage.

The most important person in my life, and I have missed him a lot since 1999
when he passed away, my father. Without his guidance, I don't think I would
have been standing here in front of you. He gave me freedom at the age of 11,
and told me that [I should] chase my dreams, but make sure you do not find
shortcuts. The path might be difficult but don't give up, and I have simply
followed his instructions. Above all, he told me to be a nice human being, which I
will continue to do and try my best. Every time I have done something special
[and] showed my bat, it was [for] my father.

My mother, I don't know how she dealt with such a naughty child like me. I was
not easy to manage. She must be extremely patient. For a mother, the most
important thing is that her child remains safe and healthy and fit. That was what
she was most bothered and worried about. She took care of me for the last 24
years that I have played for India, but even before that she started praying for
me the day I started playing cricket. She just prayed and prayed and I think her
prayers and blessings have given me the strength to go out and perform, so a
big thank you to my mother for all the sacrifices.

In my school days, for four years, I stayed with my uncle and aunt because my
school was quite far from my home, and they treated me like their son. My aunt,
after having had a hard day's play, I would be half asleep and she would be
feeding me food so I could go again and play tomorrow. I can't forget these
moments. I am like their son and I am glad it has continued to be the same way.
My eldest brother, Nitin, and his family, have always encouraged me. My eldest
brother doesn't like to talk much, but the one thing he always told me is that
whatever you do, I know you will always give it 100%, and that I have full faith
and confidence in you. His encouragement meant a lot to me. My sister, Savita,
and her family, was no different. The first cricket bat of my life was presented to
me by my sister. It was a Kashmir willow bat. But that is where the journey
began. She is one of those many who still continue to fast when I bat, so thank
you very much.

Ajit, my brother, now what do I talk about him? I don't know. We have lived this
dream together. He was the one who sacrificed his career for my cricket. He
spotted the spark in me. And it all started from the age of 11 when he took me to
Archrekar sir, my coach, and from there on my life changed. You will find this
hard to believe but even last night he called to discuss my dismissal, knowing
that there was a remote chance of batting again, but just the habit we have
developed, the rapport we have developed, since my birth, has continued and it
will continue. Maybe when I'm not playing cricket we will still be discussing
technique.

Various things we agreed upon, my technique, and so many technical things

which I didn't agree with him, we have had arguments and disagreements, but
when I look back at all these things in my life, I would have been a lesser
cricketer.

The most beautiful thing happened to me in 1990 when I met my wife, Anjali.
Those were special years and it has continued and will always continue that way.
I know Anjali, being a doctor; there was a wonderful career in front of her. When
we decided to have a family, Anjali took the initiative to step back and say that
'you continue with your cricket and I will take the responsibility of the family'.

Without that, I don't think I would have been able to play cricket freely and
without stress. Thanks for bearing with all my fuss and all my frustrations, and
all sorts of rubbish that I have spoken. Thanks for bearing with me and always
staying by my side through all the ups and downs. You are the best partnership
I've had in my life.
Then, the two precious diamonds of my life, Sara and Arjun. They have already
grown up. My daughter is 16, my son is 14. Time has flown by. I wanted to spend
so much time with them on special occasions like their birthdays, their annual
days, their sports day, going on holidays, whatever. I have missed out on all
those things. Thanks for your understanding. Both of you have been so, so
special to me you cannot imagine. I promise you [that] for 14 and 16 years I have
not spent enough time with both of you, but the next 16 years or even beyond
that, everything is for you.

My in-laws, Anand Mehta and Annabel, both have been so, so supportive [and]
loving and caring. I have discussed on various things in life, generally with them,
and have taken their advice. You know, it's so important to have a strong family
who is always with you and who are guiding you. Before you start clapping, the
most important thing they did was allowing me to marry Anjali, so thank you
very much.

In the last 24 years that I have played for India I have made new friends, and
before that I have had friends from my childhood. They have all had a terrific
contribution. As and when I have called them to come and bowl to me at the
nets, they have left their work aside to come and help me. Be it joining me on
holidays and having discussions with me on cricket, or how I was a little stressed
and wanting to find a solution so I can perform better.
All those moments my friends were with me. Even for when I was injured, I would
wake up in the morning because I couldn't sleep and thought that my career was
over because of injuries, that is when my friends have woken up at 3 o'clock in
the morning to drive with me and make me believe that my career was not over.
Life would be incomplete without all those friends. Thanks for being there for
me.

My cricket career started when I was 11. The turning point of my career was
when my brother (Ajit) took me to Achrekar sir. I was extremely delighted to see
him up in the stands. Normally he sits in front of the television and he watches
all the games that I play. When I was 11/12, those were the days when I used to
hop back on his scooter and play a couple of practice matches a day. The first
half the innings I would be batting at Shivaji Park, the second half, at some other
match in Azad Maidan. He would take me all over Mumbai to make sure I got
match practice.

On a lighter note, in the last 29 years, sir has never ever said 'well played' to me
because he thought I would get complacent and I would stop working hard.
Maybe he can push his luck and wish me now, well done on my career, because
there are no more matches, sir, in my life. I will be witnessing cricket, and cricket
will always stay in my heart, but you have had an immense contribution in my
life, so thank you very much.

My cricket for Mumbai started right here on this ground, the Mumbai Cricket
Association (MCA), which is so dear to me. I remember landing from New Zealand
at four o'clock in the morning, and turning up for a game here at eight o'clock
just because I wanted to be a part of Mumbai cricket, and not that somebody
forced me. That was for the love of Mumbai cricket, and thank you very much.
The president is here so thank you very much, along with your team, for taking
care of me and looking after my cricket.

The dream was obviously to play for India, and that is where my association with
BCCI started. BCCI was fantastic, right from my debut they believed in my ability
and selecting me into the squad at the age of 16 was a big step, so thanks to all
the selectors for having faith in me and the BCCI for giving me the freedom to
express myself out in the middle. Things would have been different if you had
not been behind me, and I really appreciate your support. Especially when I was
injured, you were right with me and making sure that all the treatments were
taken care of, and that I got fit and fine and playing [right] back for India.

The journey has been special, the last 24 years, I have played with many senior
cricketers, and even before that there were many senior cricketers with whom I
watched on television. They inspired me to play cricket, and to play in the right
way. Thanks to all those senior cricketers, and unfortunately I have not been
able to play with them, but I have high regards for all their achievements and all
their contributions.

We see it on the mega-screen, Rahul, Laxman, Sourav, and Anil, who is not here,
and my team-mates right here in front me. You are like my family away from
home. I have had some wonderful times with you. It is going to be difficult to not
be part of the dressing room, sharing those special moments. All the coaches for
their guidance, it has been special for me. I know when MS Dhoni presented me
the 200th Test match cap on Day One morning. I had a brief message for the
team. I would like to repeat that. I just feel that all of us are so, so fortunate and
proud to be part of the Indian cricket team and serving the nation.

Knowing all of you guys, I know you will continue to serve the nation in the right
spirit and right values. I believe we have been the lucky ones to be chosen by the
Almighty to serve this sport. Each generation gets this opportunity to take care
of this sport and serve it to the best of our ability. I have full faith in you to
continue to serve the nation in the right spirit and to the best of your ability, to
bring all the laurels to the country. All the very best.

I would be failing in my duties if I did not thank all the doctors, the physios, the
trainers, who have put this difficult body together to go back on the field and be
able to play. The amount of injuries that I have had in my career, I don't know
how you have managed to keep me fit, but without your special efforts, it would
never have happened. The doctors have met me at weird hours. I mean I have
called them from Mumbai to Chennai, Mumbai to Delhi, I mean wherever. They
have just taken the next flight and left their work and families to be with me,
which has allowed me to play. So a big thank you to all three of you for keeping
me in good shape.

My dear friend, late Mark Mascarenhas, my first manager. We unfortunately lost

him in a car accident in 2001, but he was such a well-wisher of cricket, my
cricket, and especially Indian cricket. He was so passionate. He understood what
it takes to represent a nation and gave me all the space to go out and express
myself, and never pressurised me to do this ad or promotion or whatever the
sponsors demanded. He took care of that and today I miss him, so thank you
Mark for all your contribution.

My current management team, WSG, for repeating what Mark has done, because
when I signed the contract I exactly told them what I want from them, and what
it requires to represent me. They have done that and respected that.

Someone who has worked closely with me for 14 years is my manager, Vinod
Nayudu. He is more like my family and all the sacrifices, spending time away
from his family for my work, has been special, so big thank you to his family as
well for giving up so much time for my work with Vinod.

In my school days, when I performed well, the media backed me a lot. They
continue to do that till this morning. Thank you so much to the media for
supporting and appreciating my performances. It surely had a positive effect on
me. Thank you so much to all the photographers as well for those wonderfully
captured moments that will stay with me for the rest of my life, so a big thank
you to all the photographers.

I know my speech is getting a bit too long (crowd roars with 'noooo'), but this is
the last thing I want to say. I want to thank all the people here who have flown in
from various parts of the world, and have supported me endlessly, whether I
scored a 0 or a 100-plus. Your support was so dear to me and meant a lot to me.
Whatever you have done for me.

I know I have met so many guys who have fasted for me, prayed for me, done so
much for me. Without that life wouldn't have been like this for me. I want to
thank you from the bottom of my heart, and also say that time has flown by
rather quickly, but the memories you have left with me will always be with me
forever and ever, especially "Sachin, Sachin" which will reverberate in my ears till
I stop breathing. Thank you very much. If I have missed out on saying something,
I hope you understand. Goodbye.