Arguably the greatest batter the game has ever seen, Sachin Tendulkar spent more than two decades dominating world cricket. But even for a legend of his stature, the year 2012 proved to be one of the most challenging phases of his remarkable career. Just months after realising his lifelong dream of lifting the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, Tendulkar suddenly found himself battling poor form and growing questions about his future. India endured disastrous overseas tours in England and Australia, suffering back-to-back 0-4 series defeats. Tendulkar managed 560 runs in eight Tests across the two tours, registering four half-centuries but failing to reach the landmark hundred that the cricketing world was eagerly waiting for. The pressure of achieving his 100th international century grew heavier with each innings.
Things did not improve when England visited India later that year. The hosts lost the series at home, and Tendulkar’s struggles continued. Across four Tests, he scored just 112 runs at an average of 18.6, raising fresh concerns about his future. Around the same time, several of his long-time teammates had already bid farewell to the game. Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman had all retired, leaving Tendulkar as the last remaining pillar of an iconic Indian batting generation. Many believed the next decision might involve the man widely called the “God of Cricket”. It was during this uncertain period that the then chairman of the BCCI selection committee, Sandeep Patil, decided to have a frank discussion with the 39-year-old. “I remember the last day of the Nagpur Test when we lost to England in 2012. My fellow selector, Rajendra Singh Hans, and I went to the ACU (Anti-Corruption Unit) to seek permission to meet Sachin Tendulkar. We obtained the manager’s permission and invited Tendulkar. I asked him, as the chairman, ‘What are your plans?’ The selection committee had decided that his contributions were not helping the team. The entire country turned against me, but we never dropped him. He announced his retirement from ODIs first and then Tests,” Patil said on Vickey Lalwani’s podcast. The conversation took Tendulkar by surprise. “He was surprised and rightfully so. He said Why?’ I said the committee felt we needed to look at your replacement, and he was shocked. He called me again and asked, ‘Are you serious?’ I said, yes. Later, when he decided to retire, he even called me and said, ‘Sandy, I am announcing my retirement.’ I feel sad that we had to take such a harsh decision. But look at the player who came in – Ajinkya Rahane.” Patil also revealed that Tendulkar initially had no intention of stepping aside. According to him, the batting icon had clearly said after their meeting that he wanted to continue playing. However, within a week, Tendulkar announced his retirement from One Day Internationals just days before India were scheduled to face Pakistan in a three-match series. The Mumbai legend carried on in Test cricket for another year, though the magical consistency that had defined his career was no longer there. During the Border–Gavaskar Trophy 2013, which India won 4-0 against Australia, Tendulkar scored 192 runs at an average of 32, with 81 being his highest score. A few months later, he stepped away from the Indian Premier League before eventually announcing his retirement from international cricket after a farewell Test series against the West Indies cricket team at home. When the curtain finally fell on his extraordinary journey, Tendulkar left the game with more than 34,000 international runs and the historic distinction of becoming the first cricketer to play 200 Test matches, bringing an end to one of the greatest careers the sport has ever seen.
