Latent Talent - Tendulkar's debut series

Sachin Tendulkar was selected to play for India as a batsman in the autumn of 1989. He was chosen to represent India away from home against the arch-rival Pakistan. He was only sixteen then and was the youngest member of the Indian squad. There was some skepticism if such a young player would be able to withstand a hostile Pakistani bowling attack comprising Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Abdul Qadir, Waqar Younis and Aaqib Javed. Qadir was a legendary leg spinner. Imran was a revered bowler all over the world and one of the pioneers of reverse swing. Wasim Akram was at the pinnacle of his career and was arguably the best bowler in world cricket. Waqar Younis and Aaqib Javed were at the time promising young bowlers who had pace, swing and the ability to wreak havoc on the opposition. Young Tendulkar was unfazed by the pedigree of the pace attack. He was not perturbed at all by Qadir's reputation and standing. In the test series, the teenager held his own against probably the best bowling attack of the time. He weathered the hurricane hurled by the bowlers with grit and determination. Even at such a young age, his technique, balance, footwork, stroke selection, talent and temperament were admirable. He had survived a stern test in the test series with grace, guts, perseverance, equanimity, humility, confidence, concentration, control and calmness. He had won the respect of his teammates, opposition and public with such intrepid resistance. He had played his part in helping his team, indubitably the weaker one, level the test series. India were the underdogs and were clearly outplayed by Pakistan in the test matches. Subsequently, the drawn test series felt like a victory for India. The skeptics who had misgivings about Tendulkar's capacity to withstand the Pakistani bowlers had been simply silenced. After his triumphant baptism by fire in the test matches, Tendulkar was looking forward to the one day series. The first one day was demoted to an exhibition match after rain had taken off an overwhelmingly large chunk of the day. In a 15 over each exhibition match, Pakistan batted first and amassed a massive score. It looked like the writing was on the wall as the required run rate was insanely high. India was struggling and staring blankly at the steep asking rate when Tendulkar came to the crease. At the opposite end was the Indian captain Srikkanth. Like a bolt out of the blue, the talented Tendulkar launched into an onslaught onto the Pakistani attack. Tendulkar smashed the ball to all parts of the ground. He hit a flurry of fours and sixes and spared no bowler. He plundered 29 runs off an over of the wily veteran Abdul Qadir. In total, he scored 53 unbeaten runs off just 17 balls. India lost the match by a whisker. Nonetheless, Tendulkar had demonstrated his ability to devastate the Pakistani bowlers. India lost respectably while at one stage it looked like India would be beaten hands down. Tendulkar saved India the blushes and once again won the hearts and minds of everyone. P.S. Later that night when i was strolling outside on my verandah in our bungalow in Durgapur, my father called me excitedly. He asked me to come to the drawing room where he was watching television. I went inside and saw that the media was raving about Tendulkar's heroics. My father immediately said that it looks like India has got a great player. At that time, i was impressed but was not sure whether Tendulkar would become a great player. Having the benefit of hindsight, I know now that he is India's greatest cricketer. Even now, i recall how percent my father's statement was.