"My Life, Between 22 Yards For 24 Years...": Sachin Tendulkar's Heartfelt Farewell On This Day 10 Years Ago

ON THIS DAY IN 2013: A legend hung up his boots on this day in 2013, as Sachin Tendulkar, the most celebrated cricketer India has ever produced, bid adieu to the sport he had graced for 24 glorious years.

Tendulkar, the “Master Blaster,” stepped away from the game that had given him his identity, his passion, and his place in the hearts of millions. His final innings, a brisk 74 at his home ground, the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, was a fitting end to an extraordinary career.

With a record-breaking 100 international centuries and over 34,000 runs across all formats, Tendulkar had etched his name in the annals of cricketing history. He was a complete batsman, combining the defensive solidity of Sunil Gavaskar with the attacking flair of Viv Richards.

But it wasn’t just his runs or his milestones that made Tendulkar a legend. It was his ability to captivate a nation, to inspire a generation of young cricketers, and to unite a country through the love of the game.

As Tendulkar took his final bow, a wave of emotion swept across India. His farewell speech, delivered with a heart full of gratitude and tears in his eyes, was watched by a billion people, a testament to the impact he had on the lives of countless individuals.

Tendulkar’s legacy will forever be cherished in the hearts of cricket fans worldwide. He was a true icon, a symbol of excellence, and a reminder that with passion, dedication, and hard work, anything is possible.

There never was, is, or will be another Sachin Tendulkar.

FULL TEXTS OF SACHIN TENDULKAR’S FAREWELL SPEECH

“All my friends. Settle down let me talk, I will get more and more emotional. My life, between 22 yards for 24 years, it is hard to believe that that wonderful journey has come to an end, but I would like to take this opportunity to thank people who have played an important role in my life. Also, for the first time in my life I am carrying this list, to remember all the names in case I forget someone. I hope you understand. It’s getting a little bit difficult to talk but I will manage.

“He [My Father] Told Me To Be A Nice Human Being”

The most important person in my life, and I have missed him a lot since 1999 when he passed away, my father. Without his guidance, I don’t think I would have been standing here in front of you. He gave me freedom at the age of 11, and told me that [I should] chase my dreams, but make sure you do not find short cuts. The path might be difficult, but don’t give up, and I have simply followed his instructions. Above all, he told me to be a nice human being, which I will continue to do and try my best. Every time I have done something special [and] showed my bat, it was [for] my father.

“I don’t know how she [my mother] dealt with such a naughty child like me”

My mother, I don’t know how she dealt with such a naughty child like me. I was not easy to manage. She must be extremely patient. For a mother, the most important thing is that her child remains safe and healthy and fit. That was what she was most bothered and worried about. She took care of me for the last 24 years that I have played for India, but even before that she started praying for me the day I started playing cricket. She just prayed and prayed and I think her prayers and blessings have given me the strength to go out and perform, so a big thank you to my mother for all the sacrifices.

“Journey between those 22 yards for 24 years”

It’s hard to believe my wonderful journey between those 22 yards for 24 years is coming to an end.

In my school days, for four years, I stayed with my uncle and aunt because my school was quite far from my home, and they treated me like their son. My aunt, after having had a hard day’s play, I would be half asleep and she would be feeding me food so I could go again and play tomorrow. I can’t forget these moments. I am like their son and I am glad it has continued to be the same way.

“The first cricket bat of my life was presented to me by my sister”

My eldest brother, Nitin, and his family, have always encouraged me. My eldest brother doesn’t like to talk much, but the one thing he always told me is that whatever you do, I know you will always give it 100%, and that I have full faith and confidence in you. His encouragement meant a lot to me. My sister, Savita, and her family, was no different. The first cricket bat of my life was presented to me by my sister. It was a Kashmir willow bat. But that is where the journey began. She is one of those many who still continue to fast when I bat, so thank you very much.

“He [My Brother Ajit] was the one who sacrificed his career for my cricket”

Ajit, my brother, now what do I talk about him? I don’t know. We have lived this dream together. He was the one who sacrificed his career for my cricket. He spotted the spark in me. And it all started from the age of 11 when he took me to Archrekar sir, my coach, and from there on my life changed. You will find this hard to believe but even last night he called to discuss my dismissal, knowing that there was a remote chance of batting again, but just the habit we have developed, the rapport we have developed, since my birth, has continued and it will continue. Maybe when I’m not playing cricket we will still be discussing technique.

Various things we agreed upon, my technique, and so many technical things which I didn’t agree with him, we have had arguments and disagreements, but when I look back at all these things in my life, I would have been a lesser cricketer.

“Most beautiful thing happened to me in 1990 when I met my wife, Anjali”

The most beautiful thing happened to me in 1990 when I met my wife, Anjali. Those were special years and it has continued and will always continue that way. I know Anjali, being a doctor; there was a wonderful career in front of her. When we decided to have a family, Anjali took the initiative to step back and say that ‘you continue with your cricket and I will take the responsibility of the family’.

Without that, I don’t think I would have been able to play cricket freely and without stress. Thanks for bearing with all my fuss and all my frustrations, and all sorts of rubbish that I have spoken. Thanks for bearing with me and always staying by my side through all the ups and downs. You are the best partnership I’ve had in my life.

“The two precious diamonds of my life, Sara and Arjun”

Then, the two precious diamonds of my life, Sara and Arjun. They have already grown up. My daughter is 16, my son is 14. Time has flown by. I wanted to spend so much time with them on special occasions like their birthdays, their annual days, their sports day, going on holidays, whatever. I have missed out on all those things. Thanks for your understanding. Both of you have been so, so special to me you cannot imagine. I promise you [that] for 14 and 16 years I have not spent enough time with both of you, but the next 16 years or even beyond that, everything is for you.

“My in-laws have been so, so supportive”

My in-laws, Anand Mehta and Annabelle, both have been so, so supportive [and] loving and caring. I have discussed on various things in life, generally with them, and have taken their advice. You know, it’s so important to have a strong family who is always with you and who are guiding you. Before you start clapping, the most important thing they did was allowing me to marry Anjali, so thank you very much.

‘[My Friends] make me believe that my career was not over”

In the last 24 years that I have played for India I have made new friends, and before that I have had friends from my childhood. They have all had a terrific contribution. As and when I have called them to come and bowl to me at the nets, they have left their work aside to come and help me. Be it joining me on holidays and having discussions with me on cricket, or how I was a little stressed and wanting to find a solution so I can perform better.

All those moments my friends were with me. Even for when I was injured, I would wake up in the morning because I couldn’t sleep and thought that my career was over because of injuries, that is when my friends have woken up at 3 o’clock in the morning to drive with me and make me believe that my career was not over. Life would be incomplete without all those friends. Thanks for being there for me.

“Turning point of my career was when my brother (Ajit) took me to Achrekar sir”

My cricket career started when I was 11. The turning point of my career was when my brother (Ajit) took me to Achrekar sir. I was extremely delighted to see him up in the stands. Normally he sits in front of the television and he watches all the games that I play. When I was 11/12, those were the days when I used to hop back on his scooter and play a couple of practice matches a day. The first half the innings I would be batting at Shivaji Park, the second half, at some other match in Azad Maidan. He would take me all over Mumbai to make sure I got match practice.

On a lighter note, in the last 29 years, sir has never ever said ‘well played’ to me because he thought I would get complacent and I would stop working hard. Maybe he can push his luck and wish me now, well done on my career, because there are no more matches, sir, in my life. I will be witnessing cricket, and cricket will always stay in my heart, but you have had an immense contribution in my life, so thank you very much.

“Mumbai Cricket Association is so dear to me”

My cricket for Mumbai started right here on this ground, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), which is so dear to me. I remember landing from New Zealand at four o’clock in the morning, and turning up for a game here at eight o’clock just because I wanted to be a part of Mumbai cricket, and not that somebody forced me. That was for the love of Mumbai cricket, and thank you very much. The president is here so thank you very much, along with your team, for taking care of me and looking after my cricket.

“BCCI was fantastic, right from my debut”

The dream was obviously to play for India, and that is where my association with BCCI started. BCCI was fantastic, right from my debut they believed in my ability and selecting me into the squad at the age of 16 was a big step, so thanks to all the selectors for having faith in me and the BCCI for giving me the freedom to express myself out in the middle. Things would have been different if you had not been behind me, and I really appreciate your support. Especially when I was injured, you were right with me and making sure that all the treatments were taken care of, and that I got fit and fine and playing [right] back for India.

“Senior cricketers inspired me to play cricket”

The journey has been special, the last 24 years, I have played with many senior cricketers, and even before that there were many senior cricketers with whom I watched on television. They inspired me to play cricket, and to play in the right way. Thanks to all those senior cricketers, and unfortunately I have not been able to play with them, but I have high regards for all their achievements and all their contributions.

“So fortunate and proud to be part of the Indian cricket team”

We see it on the mega-screen, Rahul, Laxman, Sourav, and Anil, who is not here, and my team-mates right here in front me. You are like my family away from home. I have had some wonderful times with you. It is going to be difficult to not be part of the dressing room, sharing those special moments. All the coaches for their guidance, it has been special for me. I know when MS Dhoni presented me the 200th Test match cap on day one morning. I had a brief message for the team. I would like to repeat that. I just feel that all of us are so, so fortunate and proud to be part of the Indian cricket team and serving the nation.

“Each generation gets this opportunity to take care of this sport”

Knowing all of you guys, I know you will continue to serve the nation in the right spirit and right values. I believe we have been the lucky ones to be chosen by the Almighty to serve this sport. Each generation gets this opportunity to take care of this sport and serve it to the best of our ability. I have full faith in you to continue to serve the nation in the right spirit and to the best of your ability, to bring all the laurels to the country. All the very best.

“Thanks to all the doctors, the physios, the trainers”

I would be failing in my duties if I did not thank all the doctors, the physios, the trainers, who have put this difficult body together to go back on the field and be able to play. The amount of injuries that I have had in my career, I don’t know how you have managed to keep me fit, but without your special efforts, it would never have happened. The doctors have met me at weird hours. I mean I have called them from Mumbai to Chennai, Mumbai to Delhi, I mean wherever. They have just taken the next flight and left their work and families to be with me, which has allowed me to play. So a big thank you to all three of you for keeping me in good shape.

“Late Mark Mascarenhas gave me all the space to go out and express myself”

My dear friend, late Mark Mascarenhas, my first manager. We unfortunately lost him in a car accident in 2001, but he was such a well-wisher of cricket, my cricket, and especially Indian cricket. He was so passionate. He understood what it takes to represent a nation and gave me all the space to go out and express myself, and never pressurized me to do this ad or promotion or whatever the sponsors demanded. He took care of that and today I miss him, so thank you Mark for all your contribution.

My current management team, WSG, for repeating what Mark has done, because when I signed the contract I exactly told them what I want from them, and what it requires to represent me. They have done that and respected that.

Someone who has worked closely with me for 14 years is my manager, Vinod Nayudu. He is more like my family and all the sacrifices, spending time away from his family for my work, has been special, so big thank you to his family as well for giving up so much time for my work with Vinod.

“Thank you so much to the media”

In my school days, when I performed well, the media backed me a lot. They continue to do that till this morning. Thank you so much to the media for supporting and appreciating my performances. It surely had a positive effect on me. Thank you so much to all the photographers as well for those wonderfully captured moments that will stay with me for the rest of my life, so a big thank you to all the photographers.

“I want to thank all the people who supported me endlessly”

I know my speech is getting a bit too long (crowd roars), but this is the last thing I want to say. I want to thank all the people here who have flown in from various parts of the world, and have supported me endlessly, whether I scored a 0 or a 100-plus. Your support was so dear to me and meant a lot to me. Whatever you have done for me.

“Sachin, Sachin will reverberate in my ears till I stop breathing”

I know I have met so many guys who have fasted for me, prayed for me, done so much for me. Without that life wouldn’t have been like this for me. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart, and also say that time has flown by rather quickly, but the memories you have left with me will always be with me forever and ever, especially “Sachin, Sachin” which will reverberate in my ears till I stop breathing. Thank you very much. If I have missed out on saying something, I hope you understand. Goodbye!”

SACHIN TENDULKAR RETIRES: A LEGENDARY TIMELINE

1. 1989Makes his international debut in the away series against Pakistan under the captaincy of Krishnamachari Srikkanth as a 16-year-old and scores two half-centuries in six Test innings.
2. 1990Scores his maiden Test century (119 not out, 17 fours) against England at Old Trafford and helps India to save the match. A quick look at the illustrious career of Sachin Tendulkar as the master blaster turns 38 on Sunday.
3. 1991Plays an impressive knock of 52 not against Pakistan at Sharjah which ended a series of defeats for India against their arch rivals at that venue. Also came into prominence in the same tournament as a bowler taking 4/34 against the West Indies which resulted in a comprehensive win for India.
4. 1992Plays a sublime innings of 114 in the Perth Test against an Aussie attack comprising of Craig McDermott, Merv Hughes, Paul Reiffel and Mike Whitney. Plays a match winning innings of 54 not out against Pakistan at Sydney in the 1992 World Cup, gets the crucial wicket of Aamir Sohail and ends up with the man of the match award. Becomes the first-ever overseas cricketer to represent Yorkshire in their County Championship.
5. 1993Bowls India to a memorable victory against South Africa at the Hero Cup when six runs were required to win off the last over. Scores his first Test century (165) in India at Chennai during the home series against England.
6. 1994Takes the world by storm as he is asked to open for the first time in one day internationals (ODI) during India’s tour of New Zealand. Goes on to annihilate the Kiwi bowlers on his way to 82 off just 49 balls at Auckland’s Eden Park as India level the series after losing the first match. Scores his first ODI ton in his 79th match during the Singer Cup against Australia at Colombo during a quadrilateral tournament involving hosts Sri Lanka, Australia and Pakistan.
7. 1995Signs first contract worth Rs 3.5 crore with WorldTel, for a five-year commercial endorsements and marketing deal.
8. 1996Scores a total of 523 runs in the World Cup hosted by India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka which includes two centuries. Also plays a major role in India’s progress to the semi-finals. Takes over the captaincy from Mohammad Azharuddin after India’s tour of England and leads India to victory over Australia in the one-off Test at Delhi which was followed by a Test series win over South Africa at home. India also win the Titan Cup by beating Australia and South Africa under his captaincy. Scores his 10th Test century (177) during the third Test against England at Trent Bridge, Nottingham. Scores his 10th ODI ton (114) during the Pepsi challenge match against South Africa at the Wankhede stadium.
9. 1997Leads India to a 4-1 victory over Pakistan at Toronto in the second edition of the Sahara Cup. Wins the Wisden cricketer of the year award.
10. 1998Scores an unbeaten 155 against Australia during the third Test at Chennai and helps India to a massive 179-run victory. Scores back to back centuries against Australia at Sharjah in a tri-series also involving New Zealand which helped India to go all the way. Brings up his 20th ODI ton at Sharjah against the Zimbabweans.
11. 1999Completes 8,000 runs in ODIs in his 217th match at the age of 26 years and 45 days vs Pakistan at Manchester in the World Cup. Scores his first Test double century (217 runs against New Zealand) in Ahmedabad. Brings up his 20th Test ton vs New Zealand at Mohali. Completes 50 catches in Test cricket in his 70th match vs New Zealand at Kanpur.
12. 2000Completes 9,000 runs in ODIs in his 242nd match at the age of 26 years and 330 days. Completes 6,000 runs in Test cricket in his 76th match vs South Africa at Bangalore.
13. 2001Completed 10,000 runs in ODIs in his 266th match. Becomes the first batsman in ODI history to score 10,000 runs. Brings up his 30th one-day century at Johannesburg against South Africa. Completes his 100 wickets in ODIs. Also completes a unique double of 10,000 runs and 100 wickets.
14. 2002Equals Sir Donald Bradman’s record of 29 Test Centuries by scoring 117 vs West Indies at Port-of-Spain. In his 99th Test appearance, surpasses Bradman’s record of 29 centuries scoring 193, against England at Headingly, Leeds. Only his mentor, Sunil Gavaskar is ahead of him at 34 centuries. Scores his 30th Test ton against England at Headingley, Leeds.
15. 2003Makes 673 runs in 11 matches in the ICC World Cup – most by any batsman in a single World Cup that wins him the player of the tournament award. Scores his 12,000th ODI run, while playing against Pakistan in the group match during the World cup.
16. 2004Equals Sunil Gavaskar’s world record 34 Test centuries in the first match against Bangladesh. Becomes only the third player in history, after Gary Kirsten and Steve Waugh, to score centuries against all Test playing nations. Also becomes the first player in ODI history to win 50 Man of the Match awards.
17. 2005Completes 10,000 runs in Test cricket in his 122nd match at the age of 31 years and 326 days. Scores a record 35th hundred on the first day of the second Test against Sri Lanka in New Delhi, surpassing Gavaskar’s record.
18. 2006Sets a new world record by completing 14,000 one-day runs en route to his 39th century in the first one-day international against Pakistan in Peshawar. Scores his 40th ODI century at Kuala Lumpur against the West indies during a tri-series competition also including Australia. Time magazine rewards Tendulkar as one of the Asian Heroes.
19. 2007Rested for the first time in his career, for the three-ODI series against Bangladesh. Scores back-to-back centuries in the two following Tests. Plays in his 400th one-day international.
20. 2008During the second match of the CB series involving hosts Australia, India and Sri Lanka, Tendulkar becomes the first batsman to go past 16,000 runs in ODIs. Tendulkar becomes the highest run-scorer in Test cricket at Mohali against Australia, surpassing Brian Lara’s tally of 11953 runs.
21. 2009Becomes the first batsman to aggregate 17,000 ODI runs during his innings of 175 against Australia at Hyderabad.
22. 2010Becomes the first batsman to score a double-century, brings up the feat in ODI vs South Africa at Gwalior. Becomes the most capped player in Test cricket, surpassing Steve Waugh’s tally of 168 Tests. Brings up his 50th Test century at the Centurion against South Africa.
23. 2011Becomes the most capped player in ODIs with the World Cup opening game vs Bangladesh, surpassing Sanath Jayasuriya’s tally of 444 matches. Hits two hundreds and is first to score 2000 runs in World Cups as India win the World Cup beating Sri Lanka in the final at Wankhede.
24. 2012Completes 100 international centuries in a Test match against Bangladesh on March 16, 2012. Announces ODI retirement on December 23, 2012, finishing his illustrious career having played 463 ODIs and scoring 18,426 runs with 49 centuries,
25. 2013Completes 50,000 international runs while playing for Mumbai Indians in the Champions League Twenty20. Quits the coloured jersey after retiring from domestic T20s as well. And announces his international retirement after his 200th Test against the West Indies.
26. NOVEMBER 16, 2013The hands of the clock showed 11:46 a.m. when the last West Indies wicket fell in Sachin’s 200th and final Test at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The moment India dreaded for over the last two years had arrived. Sachin Tendulkar, India’s greatest cricketer ever, had retired.