Last test match of Sachin, India aim whitewash against West Indies

Mumbai: Sachin Tendulkar is all set for an epic curtain call starting on Thursday when he steps on the field against the West Indies for his 200th and final Test where emotions will weigh heavy.

As a curly-haired teen with unbelievable talent, he walked in to the cricket field and the hearts of his fans quite effortlessly ever since his debut in 1989. And Such has been his domination in both the places that the vaccum he would leave seems unfillable.

When Sir Don Bradman retired at the Oval in 1948, there were tributes but celebrations of a fantastic career were much muted.

But now as world cricket’s most celebrated No 4 batsman bids adieu to the game, there is a silent prayer on everyone’s mind — let it be a farewell to remember.

While the onus will be on Mahendra Singh Dhoni to control on-field proceedings, it will also be difficult for the players not to feel overwhelmed by the occasion and emotions associated with the great man’s farewell.

For the legend himself, he would like to sign off on a high in front of his friends and family with a knock that will be etched in everyone’s memory in the years to come.

Having got a raw deal from umpire Nigel Llong in his penultimate Test match in Kolkata, the highest run-scorer in Test history would expect that a Shane Shillingford or Tino Best do not ‘do an Eric Hollies’ on him as he walks out to bat at his beloved Wankhede for the last time.