The Curious Case of Sachin Tendulkar

All the Indian fans will probably want to tear me apart for even asking this question. After all, cricket is a religion there, and Sachin Tendulkar is the all-powerful Almighty.

But I was always that kid in class who used to ask annoying questions of the teacher, which sadly, often went unanswered. That being said, I am not a cricket expert, and I am not here with mighty ambitions of bamboozling anyone. I love the sport of cricket, and I simply have a question regarding the legend.

Yesterday, the 15-member Indian squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup was announced. The name of Sachin Tendulkar wasn't featured, because the legend himself said no.

The reason: T20 format warrants young blood, and they deserve all the opportunities they can get. It's time for the experienced names to gracefully allow younger players to take over.

Tendulkar, however, does play for an IPL team—the Mumbai Indians.

I thought IPL was the platform for emerging young players, and the World Cup was the battleground where teams put up their best and most experienced players.

So, why didn't Tendulkar refuse to play in the IPL for the same reasons as the World Cup?

Couldn't a younger player benefit from the opportunity of playing in the IPL more than in the World Cup? There are more confirmed matches in the IPL, arguably better competition, and definitely more money in the IPL. How many absolute rookies have gotten a chance in the World Cup anyways?

Does it all come down to money, even for the greatest batsman in the world?

Or is it another diabolical chapter scripted by the BCCI, wherein, they pressure the greatest players they have to exit out of the international scene, and yet ask them to play in the IPL to please the crowds? Is the legend under BCCI pressure?

All things said and done, Sachin Tendulkar is the greatest cricketer of our time, and after Sir Donald Bradman, I would say the greatest of all time. And, he has the right to choose which tournaments he plays in. Maybe I am out of my mind, but I was just...curious.