And Anjali never regrets giving up on her own career. From the very start she was clear that if Sachin had to concentrate on his cricket and do what he wanted to do for India, she'd have to take charge of home and family. And she did.
Thanks to her, Sachin could just play and not bother about anything - finances, multiple endorsements, things at home, taking care of the children and all other necessary obligations.
Having known her well, I can even go a tad further and say she has always been a calming influence on him. Take the case of the 2007 World Cup. Sachin was devastated after the loss and was keen to give it all up.
It was proving impossible to digest that India had lost out to Bangladesh and was out in the first round itself. It was Anjali who managed to calm him down and impress upon him that the Cup campaign was indeed an aberration.
It had to pass. And it did. The marked contrast between West Indies 2007 and Wankhede 2011 is ample proof of how important a role it was. Needless to say, Sachin played some of his best cricket between 2008-2010. Anjali has hardly ever come to the stadium to watch Sachin play. She has her designated seat at home.
It is her way to inject positivity in him and it has worked wonders for close to two decades. She made an exception by coming to the Eden Gardens last week and will again be present at the Wankhede.
However, even when she turned up at the Eden, she was determined to keep it a secret. Not because it was to be a surprise for Sachin but because he would worry and would want to make arrangements for her. She was clear he just needed to focus on the game. Her brief stint at the Eden was eventful to say the least.
Just before tea, she said to friends that it would be wonderful if the skipper gave Sachin an over. He did. She then went on to suggest that it would be a near fairytale if he managed to pick up a wicket.
He did with his fourth delivery itself. A thrilled Anjali was seen giving high fives to everyone around savoring the moment of Sachin's 201st first class wicket.
For the first time ever in Sachin's career the entire family will be there at the Wankhede to watch him play. Mother Rajni will be there for the first ever time, elder brother Nitin, sister Savitha and Ajit will all be there. Again, it is Anjali's responsibility to cater to everyone and make sure each of them have no problems to deal with.
My final Anjali story is one that proves why the Tendulkars are India's most loved couple. Anjali and Sachin have always insisted that the children, Arjun and Sara, be treated in exactly the same manner as other kids and not given any extra privileges. She has instilled the very same middle class values in them that have made Sachin stand out all his career.
His humility and modesty are stand out qualities and that's what Anjali has instilled in the kids. At the Eden Gardens she was distraught when Nigel Llong's dreaded finger went up giving Sachin out in the most shocking of ways. She desperately wanted him to score big and finish on a high.
Having done all she has over the last twenty years she deserves it more than anyone else. A billion plus are praying for her as Anjali starts to focus for one final time. The countdown for the couple has well and truly begun.
0 comments:
Post a Comment