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‘He was playing with my emotions’: Sachin Tendulkar recalls emotional distraction during ‘final wish’ from BCCI; ‘My eyes were moist’

Sachin Tendulkar’s retirement and farewell match remain among the most poignant moments in cricket history. The iconic image of the Master Blaster fighting back tears, being hoisted on his teammates’ shoulders, stepping onto the field one last time to pay his respects, and silently walking into the dressing room, never to wear the Indian jersey again, left an indelible mark on millions. For nearly 24 years, Tendulkar mesmerized India’s cricket-obsessed fans, and his departure signaled the end of an era, closing the chapter on an unparalleled career.

When the announcement of Tendulkar’s retirement came, Indian cricket fans set their sights on his final two Test matches — the 199th in Kolkata and the 200th at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. Tendulkar, who managed only 10 runs in the Eden Gardens Test, turned all attention to his final appearance at his home ground. The farewell Test at Wankhede was organized at Tendulkar’s request—not for himself or the fans, but as a special moment for his mother, Rajni Tendulkar.

“Before the series was announced, I got in touch with the president of the BCCI, Mr. Sreenivasan, and made one request. I said I wanted my last match to take place in Mumbai for one reason. In all these years – I played 24 years for India and some more before that. So, almost 30 years in total – my mother had never seen me play. And back then, my mother’s health was such that she wasn’t able to travel. She wouldn’t have been able to get to a venue other than Wankhede,” Tendulkar said on Sunday evening as the Mumbai cricketing fraternity celebrated 50 years of Wankhede Stadium.

“So I requested that I have a last wish – my mother should be here and see why I left home for 24 years. And very graciously, BCCI accepted it and kept the match here. And that match, in fact, was a very emotional moment for me. Because after all these years, it was the last time for me. It’s never going to happen again.”

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Sachin Tendulkar wondered if the ‘instructor’ had a ‘West Indian passport’

As the match progressed, Tendulkar displayed vintage form, crafting a fluent 74 that evoked memories of his prime. Although he fell short of a century, Wankhede Stadium witnessed a throwback to the Sachin of old on November 13, 2013, as he delighted fans with a crisp half-century. When he edged Narsingh Deonarine to the slips, the entire stadium rose in unison to honor India’s cherished legend. Yet, in the closing moments of the match, as the reality of his journey’s end set in, Tendulkar was overcome with emotion—and the broadcasters did little to make it easier for him.

“When it was my turn to bat, I had fought all those emotions and walked out to bat. The West Indies team showed a lot of respect. All the spectators gave me a wonderful reception. My eyes were moist, but I had to show focus. And later had to bat, too. But just before the last over, I saw my mother’s close-up on the mega screen. Then they went to Anjali, then my kids. All my family members. I doubted whether the director or the one instructing the cameraman and broadcaster inside had a West Indian passport. It wasn’t helping my emotions. Because he was acting in favour of the West Indies. He was playing with my emotions,” he added.

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