Sachin Tendulkar was dismissed for 74 on Friday in what may have been the master Indian batsman’s last innings. Just as expectations were rising for his 101st international century, Tendulkar knicked a Narsingh Deonarine delivery to West Indies skipper Darren Sammy to leave the Wankhede Stadium crowd in stunned silence. The fans soon found enough voice to give Tendulkar a rousing ovation as he walked off with his bat raised to acknowledge the cheers. BCCI BCCI “He has crossed boundaries, meant something to everyone, which is why you see such outpouring of emotion,” former India captain Rahul Dravid said while commentating on television. “He has touched the lives of so many people over the years.” It was a sudden end to what had been building as a fairytale innings. Tendulkar smashed 12 fours and faced 118 balls, playing both spin and pace bowlers with ease and executing several shots that he has been famous for – the straight drive, cover drive and the paddle-sweep. “It was disappointing to see him get out but he played some incredible drives,” said India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh, who made a guest appearance in the commentary box. “When he walked in, how everyone cheered for him, well that was just amazing to see – the love of people for him.” There’s a chance he could bat again, but that depends on the course of the match over the next three days. Tendulkar had resumed on the second day of the second test between India and the West Indies on 38 after an evening cameo on day one. And the Little Master did not disappoint them as he played a classic innings to immense applause and familiar chants of “Sachin, Sachin.” The 40-year-old Tendulkar drove to the boundary to glide past 50 and then raised his bat to an ecstatic crowd and global TV audience in the millions. Earlier, he’d smashed consecutive boundaries from offspinner Shane Shillingford to set the tone for the day — cutting a short ball through point and then executing a vintage paddle-sweep. When on 47, he survived a big appeal for caught behind, much to the relief of his fans. Not long later, he hit an off drive to the boundary to raise yet another half century. The most prolific batsman in international cricket walked onto the field to a rousing reception Friday, with people still pouring into the stands. That was on top of those who had arrived early enough to watch Tendulkar knock the ball around in practice and speak to former Australia spin great Shane Warne, who is part of the television commentary team. Prominent politicians, actors and sportsmen have turned out to watch Tendulkar’s final match which is being played in a festive atmosphere. Spectators had their faces painted in the green, white and orange colors of the Indian flag with either “Sachin” or “200″ written on their foreheads to commemorate his 200th and last test match. They also waved placards reading “Thanks for all the memories Sachin, we will miss you” and “Sach is my life” in praise of the batsman who holds most of major batting records including the most runs and centuries in both tests and limited-overs international cricket. Among the more important Tendulkar milestones were becoming the first batsman to score a double-century in one-day internationals when he reached 200 not out against South Africa at Gwalior in 2010, and 100 international centuries which was completed against host Bangladesh during the 2012 Asia Cup.
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