Take a bow, Sachin Tendulkar!

Few people in cricketing history have given greater pleasure and pride to their fans than Sachin Tendulkar. Fewer still, if any, have as many fans as this man. And all this was in stark evidence on Sunday, as Australia ran into a familiar nemesis. Again. Make no mistake about it- 240 was not an easy target to chase down against Brett Lee and co. And it was definitely not as easy as the Indians made it out to be. Plaudits are due also to the young and belligerent Rohit Sharma, who matched his batting partner stroke for stroke. But, it must be said that it was indeed Tendulkar who lit up yet another Sunday for a cricket crazy nation.

The man's form in the Commonwealth Bank series leading up to the final was patchy, to say the least. And his record in finals has been the focal point of infinite debates across chai shops and classrooms alike; his failures while chasing have often been highlighted alongside. So, The Stage was set. And the script could not have been better written. As the capacity crowd at the SCG got set to watch the Indian chase, Tendulkar cut, drove, caressed and flicked with elan and determination - not even a shoulder high beamer from Lee could unsettle the little champion. At the end of the match, the Aussie supporters were disappointed with the result, but the exhibition won even them over. Yet again.

So, what makes this man tick? It's been 18 years since a cherubic, curly haired teenager made the trip to hostile Pakistan. 10 years have passed since the Sharjah assault against the same opponents had made the Don sit up and take notice. 5 years ago, Sir Garfield Sobers presented him with the Player of the Tournament award in World Cup 2003. Time seems to fly when it comes to Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar and his career. And yet, everything comes to a standstill when he takes guard in his characteristic fashion - an entire nation skips a beat and holds its breath with the SAME eager anticipation.

Really, some things never change. Not since Mahatma Gandhi united a divided nation with his nobility of cause has this country's fascination and fancy been captured thus. That Sachin is the greatest ever cricketer produced by India is now beyond debate; but how much longer can he stay? That is going to be the question, and by Sunday's evidence the end is not anytime soon. And that, is cause for celebration. Because Indian cricket post Sachin Tendulkar remains as unimaginable and horrifying as life without the sun. Maybe, the two are not that different afterall!