Birthday boy, keep that song playing

In the last few weeks, this little man has been dishing out presents to the public. His performances on the cricket field have been nothing short of a treat. Every blistering cover drive, every delicate late cut, every vicious pull has been a veritable feast for the eyes. On his 27th birthday today, Sachin Tendulkar has every reason to celebrate. He has been in his prime with the bat in the recent past and many attribute Mumbai's victory in the Ranji Trophy singlehandedly to him.

In the semifinal, Tamil Nadu got off to a superb start, making almost 400 runs on the first day. Eventually they were all out for 485, bolstered by fighting big hundreds from skipper Robin Singh and Hemang Badani. Could Mumbai actually go past 485, particularly after they were struggling at 127/4? Most people thought it unlikely. One man however believed it was always possible. Tendulkar showed in the way he swaggered to the crease that he was nothing short of determined to win the match for Mumbai - even if he had to do it all by himself.

When he walked out, he told the Mumbai coach Ashok Mankad "Kaka (uncle) don't worry, I will win this match for you." In a stay at the crease that was spread over three days and lasted just short of ten hours, Tendulkar made an unbeaten 233 that knocked the stuffing out of the Tamil Nadu team. This innings not only got Mumbai the crucial first innings lead but demoralised the visitors to the extent that they succumbed meekly and lost the match outright. Mere scorecards don't do justice to what Tendulkar achieved that day.

There was talk a couple of seasons ago that Tendulkar should not be allowed to play domestic cricket. He is just far too determined, has superior skills and in an overall sense is head and shoulders above all the competition. The same talk has begun to do the rounds again. In the final, playing against a Hyderabad team that included the inform VVS Laxman and Md Azharuddin, Tendulkar once again stole the show. The innings he played in the final was qualitatively different from the one he played in the semifinal. In the final, he took apart the Hyderabad bowlers. This was no fight for survival. From the time he reached the crease, Tendulkar tore the bowling attack to pieces. Smashing the ball to all corners of the park with absolute disdain, Tendulkar made a run a ball 128 in the second innings. This once again took the game away from the opposition.

Tendulkar has given so much to cricket lovers in the recent past. It has been an absolute privilege to sit in the press box and watch him bat. On his birthday, what can one wish him? Longevity as a cricketer. If he continues in the same vein for years to come, he will end up being a legend.