Sachin Tendulkar. God. World Champion. 'nuffsaid.

Not just another match!

Words fail me.

I badly want to write something. I know I had decided before I commenced with the blog that I would only write when I felt like but it's India versus Pakistan for Christ's sake. It warrants an entry!

Ever since the quarterfinal draw was made and the possibility of such a clash was revealed, I have been waiting for this tie. As far as cricket is concerned, it really doesn't get bigger. Even the Ashes, for all its grandeur, pales in comparison. India vs Pakistan is the cricketer's equivalent of the El Clasico!

Before India took on Pakistan in the 2003 World Cup, Ganguly insisted it was just another match. Sachin reiterated his captain's line. Shoaib Akhtar also said it. Waqar Younis repeated it as well. A national daily observed that when so many players feel the need to say that, it only means one thing. That it is not just another match. Because when India clash with Pakistan, it is never just another match.

If anything, that was a group match. Eight years later, the odds are even bigger. While India vs Pakistan is big in itself, throw in the setting of a semifinal and it goes out of the roof.

MS Dhoni realizes that. After beating Australia to secure qualification into the semis, he spoke about the next match. Indians won't care as much if we lose a World Cup final but we CANNOT lose to Pakistan. His very words!

India have never lost to Pakistan in World Cups. NEVER. I hope we keep that record intact.

And I hope Sachin shows Akhtar again ki baap baap hota hai!

Tait and Tendulkar

Shaun Tait huffs and puffs. The going is not too good for him. He has just been belted for a boundary. Ricky Ponting runs up to him. A pat on the arm in support. And tells him to go for Plan B. The ace up his sleeve. The bouncer.

It won’t fetch him the wicket he craves. But atleast it will ruffle the batsman slightly. It will work him up. He will lose his coordination. It will force him into a mistake. Accordingly Tait storms back into position for his run up. Sprints to the crease and slams the ball on the deck. Hard. Forcing the batsman to duck.

Hit that one, he yells. Mission accomplished? Yeah right! Sachin Tendulkar turns and takes a step away to the side of the crease. He is more concerned about the flies hovering around his visor. They are the bigger threat to India's impending victory.

The Aussies might have mastered the art of sledging. But Tendulkar has mastered the art of countering it. Two dot balls later, Brett Lee runs to fetch another Tait delivery duly dispatched to the boundary.

Of running and walking

At the cost of reiterating an oft-repeated phrase, it's like flicking a switch.

He lifts his willow to the heavens, sending the crowd into a frenzy. 40,000 people of different castes, creed and colours erupt as one.

And then when the same 40,000 wait with baited breath and rapt attention fearing the worst, he turns around, tucks his bat under his arm and walks away as silence engulfs the stadium. It actually is like he flicks a switch.

It isn't just the runs he takes that add to his greatness. It is also the walks he makes.

Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar: My Lord and My God.