Twitter was abuzz with farewell messages to the Master Blaster, as the Indian cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar announced his retirement on Thursday.
Sanjay Manjrekar @sanjaymanjrekar tweeted: “Privileged to have seen a child prodigy go on to become a true legend of the game from very close quarters. All the best Sachin.”
England batsman Kevin Pietersen
Among few others, Mihir padhye @mihir_padhye wrote on Twitter: We cannot imagine an Indian team withoutsachin tendulkar. End of an era #ThankYouSachin. While, another fan, Siddharth Raman @sid_raman writes: It takes @sachin_rt to retire to ensure a packed house on all 5 days of a test match.
One of the fans formed a new twitter handle #willmissusachin, while some wrote many sentimental messages ranging from “Today, cricket loses an inspiration” by , to a tweet which said, “Sachin Tendulkar 's retirement will give rise to a dangerous withdrawal syndrome amongst the cricket lovers. Without a proper treatment.”(sic)
Indian cricket gained more prominence and viewership as the 40-year-old, who started his career in 1989 and kept breaking records and building new ones to become the most loved cricketer in India.
Considered as the ‘God of Cricket’ in India, spectators in the stadium go ballistic each time Sachin walked to the field be in for the batting or the fielding side.
In one of the matches in Mumbai, I was witnessed people shouting slogans like “Mumbai ka king kaun…Sachin Sachin!!” (Who is the king of Mumbai..It is Sachin Sachin).
Among other Tweeples, Sumyth @Myth_ology posted: “These last 2 tests would involve just one emotion. The one which comes with void. Sachin Tendulkar, thou shalt always be the One True God.”
Stalvart John @Stalvart writes, “There was a time when I used to watch cricket and I use to watch it only cos of Sachin Tendulkar. You will be remembered forever !!”
Some people were less generous with their praises for him.
Some even tweeted: “Guess, his ad contracts are coming to end. For me personally, hero to zero, SACHIN TENDULKARANNOUNCES RETIREMENT IT'S HAPPENING IT'S ACTUALLY HAPPENING”.
However, his contribution to Indian cricket and his legendary status has helped not only Indian cricket but also many young aspiring cricketers.
Cricketing commentator and one of Sachin’s biggest fans and good friend Harsha Bhogle ( @bhogleharsha )tweeted: "You knew it was coming, it was inevitable, then why Sachin do you still produce this numbness?"