Sachin's Speech....
"Friends please settle down, I'll get more emotional!
It's hard to believe my wonderful journey is coming
to an end.
I've a list of names to thank. The first is my father,
who passed away in 1999. Without his guidance I
wouldn't be standing in front of you. he said 'chase
your dreams, don't give up, the path will be difficult.'
I miss him today. My mom, I don't know how she
managed a naughty child like me. She just prayed and
prayed from the day I started playing the game. For
four years I stayed with my uncle and aunt when in
school, they treated me like their own son. My eldest
brother Nitin doesn't like to talk ,much but he said,
whatever you do, I know you will give 100%. My first
cricket bat was presented to me by my sister Savita.
She still continues to fast while I bat. Ajit my
brother - We have lived this dream together, he
sacrificed his career for me, he took me to Achrekar
sir first. Even last night he called me to discuss my
dismissal. Even when I'm not playing we will still be
discussing technique. If that hadn't happened, I
would have been a lesser cricketer.
"The most beautiful thing happened to me when I met
Anjali in 1990. I know that being a doctor there was
a big career in front of her. But she decides that I
should continue playing and she took care of the
children. Thanks for bearing with me for all the
nonsense I've said (Anjali wipes tears). Then the two
precious diamonds of my life Sara and Arjun. I've
missed out on several birthdays, holidays. I know for
14-16 years I've not spent enough time with you. But
I promise you I will spend the next 16.
"My inlaws - I've discussed several things with them.
The most important thing they did was allow me to
marry Anjali. In the last 24 years my friends have
made terrific contributions. They have been with me
while I was stressed. They have been with me even at
3am when I was injured. Thanks for being there for
me.
"My career started when I was 11. I was extremely
delighted to see Achrekar sir in the stands. I used to
ride on his scooter and play two matches a day. Sir
took me along to make sure I played. On a lighter
note, Sir never said 'well played' because he didn't
want me to be complacent. You can push your luck
now, Sir, since I'm not playing cricker anymore.
"I started my career here in Mumbai. I remember
landing from NZ at 4am and playing a Ranji game the
next day. The BCCI was fantastic from my debut.
Thanks to the selectors. You were right with me
making sure my treatment was taken care of.
"Thanks to all the senior cricketers who have played
with me. We see on the screen Rahul, VVS, Sourav,
Anil who is not here. All the coaches. I know when MS
presented the 200th Test cap, I had a message to the
team - I said we are all so proud to be representing
the nation. I hope to continue to serve the nation
with dignity. I have full faith that you will serve the
country in the right spirit.
I will be failing in my duty if I didn't thank the
doctors who have kept me fit. Given the injuries I
have suffered. They have treated me in odd hours.
My dear friend the late Mark Mascarenhas. I miss
him. My current management team WSG, for
continuing what Mark has done. Someone who has
worked closely with me for 14 years is my friend
Vinay Nayudu.
"The media has backed me a lot, since my school days.
Even today. Thank you. Thanks to the photographers
for capturing those moments.
"I know my speech has become long. I want to thank
people who have flown in from different parts of the
world. I want to thank my fans from the bottom of
my heart. "Sachin, Sachin" will reverberate in my
years till I stop breathing."
"Friends please settle down, I'll get more emotional!
It's hard to believe my wonderful journey is coming
to an end.
I've a list of names to thank. The first is my father,
who passed away in 1999. Without his guidance I
wouldn't be standing in front of you. he said 'chase
your dreams, don't give up, the path will be difficult.'
I miss him today. My mom, I don't know how she
managed a naughty child like me. She just prayed and
prayed from the day I started playing the game. For
four years I stayed with my uncle and aunt when in
school, they treated me like their own son. My eldest
brother Nitin doesn't like to talk ,much but he said,
whatever you do, I know you will give 100%. My first
cricket bat was presented to me by my sister Savita.
She still continues to fast while I bat. Ajit my
brother - We have lived this dream together, he
sacrificed his career for me, he took me to Achrekar
sir first. Even last night he called me to discuss my
dismissal. Even when I'm not playing we will still be
discussing technique. If that hadn't happened, I
would have been a lesser cricketer.
"The most beautiful thing happened to me when I met
Anjali in 1990. I know that being a doctor there was
a big career in front of her. But she decides that I
should continue playing and she took care of the
children. Thanks for bearing with me for all the
nonsense I've said (Anjali wipes tears). Then the two
precious diamonds of my life Sara and Arjun. I've
missed out on several birthdays, holidays. I know for
14-16 years I've not spent enough time with you. But
I promise you I will spend the next 16.
"My inlaws - I've discussed several things with them.
The most important thing they did was allow me to
marry Anjali. In the last 24 years my friends have
made terrific contributions. They have been with me
while I was stressed. They have been with me even at
3am when I was injured. Thanks for being there for
me.
"My career started when I was 11. I was extremely
delighted to see Achrekar sir in the stands. I used to
ride on his scooter and play two matches a day. Sir
took me along to make sure I played. On a lighter
note, Sir never said 'well played' because he didn't
want me to be complacent. You can push your luck
now, Sir, since I'm not playing cricker anymore.
"I started my career here in Mumbai. I remember
landing from NZ at 4am and playing a Ranji game the
next day. The BCCI was fantastic from my debut.
Thanks to the selectors. You were right with me
making sure my treatment was taken care of.
"Thanks to all the senior cricketers who have played
with me. We see on the screen Rahul, VVS, Sourav,
Anil who is not here. All the coaches. I know when MS
presented the 200th Test cap, I had a message to the
team - I said we are all so proud to be representing
the nation. I hope to continue to serve the nation
with dignity. I have full faith that you will serve the
country in the right spirit.
I will be failing in my duty if I didn't thank the
doctors who have kept me fit. Given the injuries I
have suffered. They have treated me in odd hours.
My dear friend the late Mark Mascarenhas. I miss
him. My current management team WSG, for
continuing what Mark has done. Someone who has
worked closely with me for 14 years is my friend
Vinay Nayudu.
"The media has backed me a lot, since my school days.
Even today. Thank you. Thanks to the photographers
for capturing those moments.
"I know my speech has become long. I want to thank
people who have flown in from different parts of the
world. I want to thank my fans from the bottom of
my heart. "Sachin, Sachin" will reverberate in my
years till I stop breathing."