The retirement of the legendary Sachin Tendulkar and his farewell match will be remembered as one of the most poignant moments in the annals of world cricket. Witnessing the Master Blaster struggle to contain his emotions, being hoisted on the shoulders of his teammates, returning to the field for a final tribute, and then quietly exiting to the dressing room, never to don the Indian colors again, was enough to bring tears to the eyes of many. For nearly 25 years, Tendulkar captivated the cricket-enthusiastic nation of India, and suddenly, it all concluded with the iconic Tendulkar riding off into the sunset, marking the end of an extraordinary 24-year career.

When the announcement of Tendulkar's retirement was made, Indian cricket fans focused their attention on his last two Test matches—199th and 200th—held in Kolkata and Mumbai. Following Tendulkar's dismissal for 10 runs in the sole innings at Eden Gardens, all eyes shifted to Wankhede Stadium. It was revealed that the Master Blaster had requested the Board of Control for Cricket in India to arrange his farewell Test at his home ground, not for his own sake or primarily for the fans, but for his mother, Rajni Tendulkar.

"Prior to the series announcement, I reached out to the BCCI president, Mr. Sreenivasan, with a specific request. I expressed my desire for my last match to be held in Mumbai for one reason. Throughout my 24 years representing India and additional years before that—nearly 30 years in total—my mother had never witnessed me play. At that time, her health was such that she could not travel. She would not have been able to attend any venue other than Wankhede," Tendulkar shared on Sunday evening as the Mumbai cricket community commemorated 50 years of Wankhede Stadium.

I made a request for a final wish: my mother should be present to understand the reasons behind my departure from home for 24 years. The BCCI graciously honored this request and arranged for the match to take place here. This match was profoundly emotional for me, as it marked the conclusion of my journey after all these years. Such an opportunity will never arise again.

Sachin wondered if the 'instructor' had a 'West Indian passport'

As the match commenced, Tendulkar displayed remarkable form, scoring a smooth 74 runs. Although he fell short of a century, on November 13, 2013, Wankhede Stadium witnessed the return of the legendary Sachin, who showcased his skills with a splendid half-century. When he edged a delivery from Narsingh Deonarine to the slips, the entire crowd rose to their feet, paying tribute to their cherished icon. However, in the final moments of the match, as Tendulkar came to terms with the end of his career, he was overwhelmed with emotion, a situation exacerbated by the broadcasters.

"When it was my turn to bat, I battled through those emotions and stepped onto the field. The West Indies team showed me great respect, and the audience welcomed me warmly. My eyes were filled with tears, yet I needed to maintain my focus. As I prepared for the last over, I noticed my mother's image on the big screen, followed by shots of Anjali and my children. All my family members were featured. I couldn't help but wonder if the director or the person directing the cameraman and broadcaster had a West Indian passport. It certainly did not ease my emotions, as it felt like they were toying with my feelings," he remarked.

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