He missed out at the World Cup final. That faint edge of Lasith Malinga and the dream of a 100th hundreds at cricket?s biggest stage turned into a non-starter.

However, with India victorious, Sachin Tendulkar did not even spare a thought for what could have been. He was candid and categoric in declaring it was the best moment of his life. Immersed in the moment and knowing that the 100 centuries mark was just a statistic that would soon be ticked off, he moved on to captaining the Mumbai Indians in trying to achieve yet another unfulfilled dream?winning the IPL. And from what we have seen so far, the man looks to be on a mission. Two out of three wins so far in the IPL, in an incredible personal form and with a tremendous batting line up to stand up for him, Mumbai Indians definitely look the favourite at the end of the first week of the IPL.

For Sachin a 100 at the IPL stage is yet another reminder of how fit the man is. It was an important century given the context and the near full crowd at the Wankhede stadium. Some of the shots he played en route can make their way to any cricket coaching video. For example, he played the helicopter shot better than MS Dhoni, the upar cut better than Virender Sehwag and the straight drive in a way only he could play. Leading the race for the orange cap for the second consecutive year, Sachin Tendulkar continues to make a statement to every cricketer of this generation?to achieve your dream, be prepared to go that extra yard and take the extra effort.

When I asked him this very question, i.e. how does one chase one?s dream, he did not spare a second in giving me the answer: ?Every human being has a dream. It all depends on who is prepared to go that extra yard and how badly you want to chase your dream. Take that extra step whatever it takes and you will be nearer your dream.? While it is easier said than done, you cannot help but be inspired seeing the man in action day in and out, a routine we have loved to enjoy and savour for well over 21 plus years.

Once we take stock of the staggering nature of the man?s achievement, we can then put the sacrifices he has made in context. In a recent conversation he said to me, ?At the start of the World Cup, Arjun (his son) was an inch shorter. He is now an inch taller. That?s what we are missing out on.? The statement?simple and straight?gives an insight into a side of Tendulkar we have hardly known.

In thanking Anjali and his family he wasn?t doing his duty. Rather, he was lamenting what he, the family person, has missed out on in serving the nation. While we celebrate Sachin, it is important to remember the pain and the suffering the man has gone through and continues to go through in giving millions of Indians pride and joy.

I shudder to think of the day Sachin Tendulkar will call it quits. For him personally it would be the most difficult decision to take, for he knows nothing else in life but cricket.

All his life he has served India by wielding the willow to the best of his ability. And for the Indian cricket fan it would be a day of mourning?a void that would perhaps never be fulfilled given the overwhelming nature of the man?s achievement. Sachin Tendulkar not stepping out to bat in India colours would be a fact extremely difficult to digest. More than anything else, our cricketing sensibilities for well over two decades have seen one constant, Tendulkar shouldering the burden of a billion. It is for this reason alone that we need to celebrate the resurgence of Tendulkar even more. Given his current form he could easily continue to entertain and enthrall for another couple of years. Then we could push him for a year or so more.

The legacy of Sachin Tendulkar is growing. Let?s just say long live the legend.

?The writer is a sports historian