40

22nd September 2022, Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Dehradun

It had already been 9 years since he had retired but the stadiums had not forgotten. In Dehradun too, they turned up to watch old aching bodies turn up and for one in particular. Chants of "Sachin, Sachin" reverbated through the stand, no matter who was actually playing. A roar of approval from the boundaries that he patrolled acknowledged with an ever so polite wave. Middle-aged uncles shouting "Maar, beta, maar" delirious in joy and sense of ownership through all the 40 runs that he scored. Some classic shots, some classic poses. Rosier memories for all in attendance would be hard to come by. That India won exactly by the margin of runs he scored added an additional sheen to the evening.