Is It End of Sachin's Era ?

Six failed innings in a row is all it's taken for the media and fans to think that this could be the beginning of the end for Sachin Tendulkar. In 1989, Sachin Tendulkar made his debut in Pakistan and was given a taste of international cricket after Waqar Younis smacked him on the nose. In 2006, Sachin Tendulkar is felled to the ground in Pakistan not by a snorter but one that kept low from Mohammad Asif. Life's come full circle for the Master Blaster, but at least former Pakistan captain Imran Khan had some comforting words.

"It's happened to me as well. Everybody expects the superstar to deliver, he is the one under pressure," said Imran.

In the third and final Test against Pakistan in Karachi, the entire batting line up failed but Sachin is the one who succeeded in making the most headlines. Most fans will be hard pressed to remember when was the last time so many newspaper headlines wondered if this was the beginning of the end for the Bombay Bomber.

Alarming Numbers:

The statistics certainly indicate a slump. His last 14 international innings have resulted in a highest score of 39. He has two half-centuries in his last ten one-dayers, all of which have been at home. He has one century and three half-centuries in his last ten tests for a more than respectable average of just under 39. But he's now gone six Test innings without a single half-century. Sachin only got three innings in this Test series, but it will still rank as his third worst performance in a series in terms of runs. Most of these series only featured two Tests, such as the one against South Africa in 2004.

Questions Raised:

It all started with Moin Khan questioning the need for Sachin Tendulkar to walk when he wasn't out in the Faisalabad test. But the part that was forgotten about that controversial article was that Moin said that he hoped he's wrong about this being the beginning of the end. That comment earned Moin Khan widespread ridicule in India. Now Sachin has five one-dayers in Pakistan to prove to the fans that there is still hope.

My Opinion:

Its right time for Sachin to retire gracefully. This is for the goodness of the country and for himself. This will give chance to the next generation. He has done enough for the country. He made certain records which will be there for some times. What worries to me is that if people start feeling in the same way they feel about Ganguli, it will be a real disgrace for a National Hero.

Source : www.ndtv.com