#Sachin_Tendulkar: All my friends, settle down let me talk, Ill get more and more emotional . The crowd does berserk out there. My life between 22 yards in the 24 years, it s hard to believe that it s coming to an end. I would like to thank all the people who have helped me in my life to get here. I have a list in my hand , please forgive me if I miss out on a few names. First , my father, he passed away in 1999 . He was very key for my career. he gave me freedom , chase your dreams and dont find shortcuts. He also told me to be a nice human being. My mother, I dont how she dealt with such a naughty like guy me . She took care of me to be healthy. She started praying for me even before I started my career and I think those prayers gave my strength . In my school days , I used to stay with my uncle and aunt as my school was far away . They treated me like their son. They gave me enough food that I can play well . My eldest brother , he used to tell me , I know youd do everything right and I have the confidence in you. My sister, she gave my the first bat for me . A Kashmir Willow bat . She continues to fast when I bat . Ajit , I dont what do I talk about him. It all started from the age of 11, he took to Achrekar sir my coach. And my life changed . Even last night , he called me and we were discussing my dismissal. Various things we agreed upon , my technique . I have had a lot of chat with him. If I had not done that , I would have been a lesser cricketer . The most important one in 1991 , I met my wife Anjali. I know she was a doctor . When we decided to make it a family, she said, you continue with your cricket and Ill take care of the family . Without that I think I couldn t have played so much cricket . Thank you for all that you ve done and it is the best partnership I ve had in my life . Then Sara and Arjun are two precious diamonds in my life . Daughter is 16 and son is 14, time has flown by . I wasn t able to be with them for the birthdays, annaul days and stuff. Thanks for understanding all that, both of you have been so special to me . I ve not spent enough time with you but I promise you the rest is for you. My in- laws have been supporting. I discuss various things with them , we have a strong family and thank you for allowing me to marry Anjali. There have been a lot of friends who have supported me . Leaving their work and coming to bowl at me when I called them . I thought my career was over when I was injured, by my friends called even at 3 AM and made me believe that it was not over . My career started at 11. My brother took me to Achrekar sir and that is the best to have happened to me . Sir would be taking me on his scooter all over Mumbai to ensure that I get enough match practice . On a lighter note, he s never said well played to me so that I don t get complacent. My cricket started right here at this ground. The dream was obviously to play for India . BCCI was fantastic , they believed my at the of 16 years and selected me . Thanks for the support and the freedom , without that this couldn t have happened . I have played with many senior cricketers, thanks to everyone for helping me out . I see , Rahul, Laxman, Sourav and my teamates, you guys are like my family . It is going to be difficult without that dressing room, sharing those special moments. When Dhoni gave me the 200th Test cap, I just said, we are all proud to be here as a team and I believe that you guys will take care of this country in the right spirit to the best of our abilities. I believe in you and all the best for your future . Thanks to all the doctors, physios, without your special efforts , I couldn t have been fit. I don t know how you all kept me in good shape. My dear friend , late Mark Mascerenhas, my first manager . Without him I couldn t have achieved all this. All those sponsorship deals etc. . thanks for your support . I miss you. My manager Vinod Naidu, he s more like my family. He s given me so much time leaving his family to work with him. In the school days when I played well , the media backed be a lot . You ve been doing that till now . Thank you to all of you, all those photographers. Those moments will remain with me for the career. I thank all the people who supported me a lot . Whether I scored a 0 or a 100. I ve met a lot of people who does all sorts of things for me, thank you for all that youve done . Especially , Sachin . .. Sachin .. that will be ringing in my ears till I breath . Thank you very much. I am sorry if I have missed out on anything . Good bye.
Posted on: Sun, 17 Nov 2013 04:51:15 +0000