Sachin Tendulkar and 117 Million Indians awaiting Century of Centuries

Indians have yet not forgotten 12 March 2011, exactly one year back, the date when "God of Cricket" Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar made his 99^th 100 against South Africa in Nagpur. Sidelining the fact that India lost in that particular match, it held an important place in the hearts of every Indian because their beloved Sachin was just one century away from achieving a miracle.

A miracle that will not be touched for coming decades by any cricketer of the world.

For the next few matches whenever he entered the field eyes of the cricket lovers were clung on their TV sets for the miracle to happen.

11 Tests and 32 ODI innings have gone by, exact one year has passed and still the unimaginable remains near to unimaginable. Critics and cricket legends have started questioning and discussing the retirement of 38-year-old cricketer.

Kapil Dev has said, "From what we have seen in the last three months, he (Sachin) should have announced his retirement after the World Cup". Though one should note here that, Kapil the Greatest All-rounder, India has ever produced went without a half century in his last 105 ODI matches and also struggled with the ball.

"There's only one reason to play cricket; to help your team win matches. If a player gives everything and the team loses there is no shame in that; but when individual statistics start to overshadow the team result then clearly there is a problem", quoted Ian Chappell, Australian cricketer.

Sourav Ganguly his yesteryear companion said Sachin should reconsider his ODI career, but later backed up his inclusion in Asia cup squad.

Rahul Dravid's retirement few days' back has again raised finger on VVS Laxman and Sachin Tendulkar the other two aging veterinarians on whom the sword of retirement is hanging.

In a country obsessed with statistics and records Sachin has carried this burden and has fulfilled millions expectation every time he came to bat, records have been broken whenever he played but till today whenever he fail people start criticizing. Sachin himself has said that he never cared about the records and they were built along the way, his love for cricket has been known, he once famously said that he would play till he feels cricket is left in him and would say adieu when he does not feel the urge anymore.

Actually all this discussion and attention just showcase one thing, how well Sachin has dwelled in the heart of every cricket lover of the world. And how much his performance matters. If one sees both the England and Australia tournament, except the skipper M.S.Dhoni, Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli all other player have struggled with their bat and even with the ball. But Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma or Shewag nobody faced such criticism what Tendulkar has faced just because expectation from him are very high.

It's true that he has been out of form for the last one year but he has gone through many bad phases in his 23 years old career and every time came back strongly and compelled his critics to go quiet. He was the highest run scorer in the 2011 world cup from India and was just behind Srilanka's Dilshan overall.

Scorecard of his last 10 matches (both ODI and test matches included)

The records are filled with this mans achievement, his journey has been phenomenal and it looks like whenever he enters the ground a record is broken. 51 Test Centuries, 48 ODI centuries, Total of 99 centuries, First Man on the planet to reach 200, 15470 test runs, 18254 ODI runs, 460 ODIs, century against every cricket plating team, phew, the list can go on forever and ever.

This Cricket Great has played six World Cups (the most by any cricketer) has scored 2000 runs (the most by any cricketer), he holds six World Cup centuries (again, the most by any cricketer). Still much cricket is left in him and one can expect him to return in form in the Asia Cup, which has just started on March 11 2012.

Sachin once in an interview said, "I don't listen to critics". He has always given the answer with his bat and this will be the best time to show his critics that still cricket is his reign and he is the Master and what Mathew Hayden (Australian Cricketer) said "I have seen GOD, he bats at No.4 in Indian team" was true word by word.

Last 12 months have been an obsession for 117 million Indians and all are united for the GOD of their religion (Cricket) to reach the landmark.

On Tuesday March 13 2012 the hope will rise again, prayers will be sung in every house of India when Tendulkar will enter in the field wearing the same 10 number Jersey which he has worn for over 22 years for India. The match is against Srilanka and India is hoping that the drought of century will come to an end.