Time For Tendulkar to Quit ODIs or Does He Have It in Him to Play WC 2011?

Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar, a hero for most kids, a household name in India, a sporting legend across the world and the heart beat of millions like me. He has been the backbone of Indian batting for many years.

He may not be as destructive or lethal as the '90s but still as effective as the one who got his first 100 in his 79th match (which was 15 years back but still very clear in my mind—bowled by McDermott).

I, by no means, can forget the 1996 World Cup where he got 523 runs in seven matches and certainly not the 2003 WC either. 1999 WC a bit shady. I can't exactly agree he wasn't in good touch but then anything short of a 100 is unacceptable by us from this guy!

When I sat down to watch the 2007 WC (the matches started at 2000 hrs in India), I would invariably be sleeping by the end of the first innings. I remember how frustrating it was to see the Indians fold up for 191 (please correct me if I'm wrong) against Bangladesh and lost that game.

But like the billion Indians I was all pumped up for the match against Sri Lanka which was a do-or-die match. Yet again India lost and my hero had gotten out for a second ball duck. I began to wonder if that was the last ball he had played in a WC.

His recent performances barring the CB series in Australia, 2007-08, haven't been upto the mark. The Sri Lankan series was hopeless in terms of his batting and umpiring. I wouldn't criticize the umpires either. Having played quite a bit of State cricket myself, I can understand how it goes.

With conditions in New Zealand not the best for batting (certainly the sizes of the grounds are), will the little master deliver (for the millionth time)? Only time will tell.

This series could very well be a deciding factor in the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) of one day cricket continuing to reach greater heights or not. Has the GOAT got enough strength to march on or will it be happy to just help the KIDS do the work?

This article is a tribute to the wizard with a bat. I just hope he does whatever is better for him. Cheers.