India pays tribute to Sachin with a resounding win

India bids farewell to Sachin Tendulkar by winning the two-match test series against West Indies 2-0 at the Wankhede. India completed the formalities of picking up the remaining 7 wickets of the West Indian team within the first session of the third day’s play with some clinical spin bowling.

WI came on to bat with the overnight score of 43/3 with Chris Gayle batting on 6. But it was not long when the procession began. First to go was Marlon Samuels, out stumped by Mahendra Singh Dhoni after getting foxed by Pragyan Ojha. Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Denesh Ramdin did put up some resistance but it only delayed the inevitable. Once Chanderpaul, who was playing his 150^th test match, got out it was just a matter of time to finish the test match. Ramdin remained not out on 53 as WI got all out for a mere 157. India won the match by an innings and 156 runs. Pragyan Ojha got the man-of-the-match award for his 10 wicket haul as he picked up 5 wickets in the second innings as well. Rohit Sharma was awarded the Man-of-the-series for his back-to-back tons.

However all the celebrations sunk in as tears began to roll down from the eyes of each and every person present at the Wankhede. It was an emotional moment for every Indian. It was the last time that Sachin Tendulkar-the hero of the nation-the greatest ambassador of the game of cricket walked back to the pavilion as a player. Emotions crept in to Sachin as well. As he waved his hands to the innumerable fans at the stadium he was caught on the camera wiping his tears. It was a moment to savour. It was the end of an era-the end of a journey that began on November 15, 1989. In the end when Ravi Shastri gave the microphone to Sachin to say something, he delivered one of the greatest speeches one could ever hear. He won the heart of every single person who was listening to that just like he way he has overwhelmed people across the world throughout his 24-year long career.

How can life be the same without this man!

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About Argha Ghosh

An ardent follower of sports and die-hard Manchester United fan, Argha's ultimate dream is to watch a Manchester derby from the Stretford End at the Old Trafford.