The Retirement Question

When you are nearly 39 and have achieved everything, it’s natural for people to ask you about retirement

Every time Sachin Tendulkar reaches a milestone, his media managers organise a special durbar between him and some journalists. This durbar is different from routine durbars. Emperor Sachin is more generous and relaxed with time. He is also open to answering a wider range of questions.

Such a gathering was organised in Mumbai on 25 March to commemorate Sachin’s 100th international century. For once, journalists were punctual, looking forward to being in close proximity of sporting royalty. When everyone was seated and the hotel staff had filled up a bowl on the emperor’s table with candy, the emperor materialised from a surprise entrance. He was simultaneously shy and friendly.

Once again, Sachin was asked questions about his retirement. He answered them with patience, but it is well known that he doesn’t enjoy the subject. He minds being asked about it. When Imran Khan, Ian Chappell or Kapil Dev occasionally suggested that Sachin should quit, following yet another record or a rare poor run with the bat, they were deemed betrayers.

Sachin’s argument is strong. He’s performing well, he works hard and it is his bloody career. When and whether to retire is his decision, and maybe that of selectors.

But the point is the retirement question itself is not unjustified, and should not be seen as an affront. When you are a certain age, you’ll be asked certain things. A teenager will be asked if he has a girlfriend or boyfriend. Couples will be asked if they have kids. And a cricketer in his late thirties will be asked when he plans to chuck it. There is no ill will in this question, just logic.

Then there are occasions that make the question timely. The World Cup was Sachin’s big career goal. After India won, it was reasonable to wonder if he’d ride into the sunset with the crown on his head. And now that he’s got a hundred centuries, some might feel it is a good time for him to bid goodbye.

Sachin has answered questions about retirement adequately. In Dhaka, he turned the ‘quit when on top’ (QWT) dictum on its head. He said it would be selfish to QWT. It was a refreshing, valid argument. All he should understand is that questions on retirement are a consequence of age and success. They are not a slight or insult.

About The Author

Akshay Sawai