Defying Nature

A story written in a new approach to describe the social problems of a hot invention

"Can you tell about your childhood ?"

"I used to play along with my brothers. The first ball i played hit my stumps. I was cautious

in my next attempt. Hitting the ball always excited me. I used to place my willow beneath my pillow".

Sharada Tendulkar's memory went back to the erstwhile days. The day her son putting legs across her while in sleep.

She is proud of her son, Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar. Infact if it would not have been his eldest brother

Arjun Tendulkar his talent would not have blossomed as much now.

Sachin Tendulkar was answering to a spate of questions, from the scribes sitting beside his mother after

his world record centuries in One day cricket.

He was humble and confessed that a long way to go, from his personal perspective as well as the indian cricket.

Tendulkar and his prowess used to be a nightmare for all other cricket playing nations.

For London born Pakistani Moijudulla, he cant forget the numerous days his mood went for toss,

all due to a single man the "little master". Money was not a constraint for this well to do, ardent cricket buff,

but the lack of talent to tackle the "little master" among the Pakistani cricketers made him furious. Though Moijudalla was married

for quite a few years, they didnt have a child. A day arrived when he with his wife started distributing sweets in the nooks and corners of Karachi city,

the reason being they adopted a cherubic, curly haired male child. The child was named 'Shabir'. The boy seemed to watch the street cricket around his home

through the window and terrace. As he went to school, playing cricket become his hobby, after the school time. Few of his friends used to bring balls and stumps

while he used to take diminutive bat which his father presented on his 5th birthday. On a day, even much after his school left, his mother could see him in a dejected face at home.

She asked 'Shabi, is it because you dont like cricket you are still in home today ?", to which he replied "no maa, you must be knowing that i take bat to play while my friend Ashraf brings ball. Yesterday

it so happened that the ball i hit went past this lane and we spent the rest of the evening searching for the ball resulting all in vain. You must be knowing that Ashraf's father sells ice-creams and after seeing

his terrific face, i decided that i will never play cricket till i bring balls myself". Soon after his mother sent him to shop to bring few grocery items and Shabir's eye could not escape his friends playing with a

torn ball. For Shabir few days went without playing his favourite game. Moijudalla could not escape his son's inactive behaviour. While taking supper, Moijudalla asked 'What happened Shabir ? You look dull today'. Shabir replied

'I am missing playing cricket with my friends, due to lack of balls. Few days back i hit the ball so high that none of us could trace it.". Moijudulla burst out laughing and said "It seems the lane infront of our house is small for you guys.

Anyway as i am not busy right now and i will take you and your friends daily to public ground. Tell all your friends to be ready at 4'o clock.I dont think question of losing the ball will arrive again. Does it Shabir ?". Shabir smiled

and was very happy. For Ashraf atleast the initial few days journey in Jeep is like a fairy tale. The boys found that making Shabir out was difficult if not impossible. Boys set their own special rules, by which Shabir was to play only

half the innings as those played by others. Shabir agreed to this, to give everyone a chance to bat atleast once in a day.

The days rolled, boys started playing with elders in tournaments. Shabir knocked 47 in his first match. He went on to play few big innings in the tournaments to follow and few low scores too. But one thing common in all his innings was

dedication. Shabir finally got the call to play in his province at the age of 11. Pakistan media wrote about this in sports column, if not conspicous. As Shabir has to attend tournaments he had to leave home. Missing his family,friends though was

miserable in the begining, Shabir soon adjusted to the new environment. Meeting few international stars like Sachin, Saeed Anwar, Injamam was his dream. He could get a glimpse of them when they play in and around Pakistan.

Considering his good performances in country cricket, he could a get a call for international cricket at the age of 14. That day was unforgettable to Moijudalla and his clan. Beaming Moijudalla replied "It is a justice to my son's prowess".

Once the news spread around international media too wrote about the new bloke in cricket. Shabir just wished "Give me power to emulate my roll models if not overpower them".

One thing noticed all around the world was Shabir was youngest of all to appear in international cricket arena and had slightly the look of "Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar".

Sachin, at the age of 38 retired after he could not concentrate cricket due to his nagging injuries. Well, he didnt really retire simply, but with 52 hundreds (more than double that of next lower one) and 24789 runs under his name. Media wondered what would be the Bradman's reaction if he is

still alive.

Initial few days in international cricket was not bed of roses for Shabir. He had to struggle for his place in side by his own thought. But everyone had a hight respect for this lad. People, media wondered "He looks like Sachin Tendulkar. Is he going to emulate him ?"

Even Sachin was wondered by his looks. The boy progressed well and maintained consistency and few good scores. By the time he had reached 23, he was the master blaster for Pakistan. His proud father never used to miss even advertisements, while watching his son play. So was his enthuasism.

In addition to looks, even his shot making style, humbleness matched that of the great Tendulkar. Media went on to praise "Junior Tendulkar, who definitely beats the senior". As Shabir showed his talent quite often, pakistan team's winning become regular.

Thus the little boy from Karachi set his own standards and become demigod in all the cricket playing nations. Fans become frivolent to watch his game, infact he swayed the cricket world. Runs flowed quite easily from his blade like the love of a mother to her children.

The day came at his age of 28, when his century score read 50 and 24678. The media wrote of this boy from Karachi wiping out Tendulkar's record of most runs in one day cricket.

As usual, he scored 111 runs thereby equalling Tendulkar's record of 24789 runs and one less century than him. Tendulkar sitting at his mumbai home was watching the match curiously. Infact he was sure, Shabir will overcome his score and was giving command to his Personal Secretary to send a wishing letter to the junior Shabir with a message that read "Congratulations on your new record. Infact i am

proud that my record is broken by none other than a true genius and thanks for making me realize where my records stand.". Tendulkar paused for a moment watching the TV.

Soon after his score of 111, Shabir lifted his bat for a huge applause and was going towards the direction of pavillion. Onlookers were surprised, so is the media and commentators. The captain of pakistan sent in some other guy in the place of Shabir

and pakistan won the match comfortably. In the presentation ceremony the sports crazy fans, were on their heels to watch their beloved Shabir. But he didnt come to receive the 'man of the match' award.

Captain had a message from Shabir which read "I am thankful to all the people who have supported me all these years. Today has been a great moment. I am confessing here that it is the Tendulkar's genius is in me.

Infact i am the cloned son of Sachin Tendulkar. I really cant think of breaking his record even in dreams. Mr. Moijudalla wanted desperately someone to play against Tendulkar and win matches. There by it is by his idea of cloning the great, i was born.

I dont say, he erred. But it is quite pity that, all these have been done without the knowledge of Sachin Tendulkar when he was undergoing a surgery in Mumbai. Hereby i am announcing that i wont play anymore international cricket. I have few plans for Pakistan cricket.

I am planning to join my father Mr.Sahin Tendulkar, in his mumbai cricket coaching camp and i will request him to take few Pakistani budding cricketers too for the camp. Thank you, i am already on my way".

Watching this, Tendulkar was dismayed. Infact Sharada Tendulkar slept that day, with a dream of meeting her unknown grandson.