Missing by a whisker

Place secure in pantheonSir—Another ODI century has once again eluded “master blaster” Sachin Tendulkar in the final match of the series against Pakistan played at Gwalior. However, the media and cricket fans are unduly perturbed. After all, the “little champion” already holds the world record for maximum number of ODI centuries. Though unfortunate, Tendulkar has created a record of sorts by getting out in the nervous 90s on seven occasions.Pole vault champion Sergei Bubka, who won six consecutive world championships from 1983 to 1997 and also beat his own record on 35 occasions, could win only a single Olympic gold. Similarly, Ron Clarke, the legendary Australian long distance runner, who was the world record holder in 5,000 m and 10,000 m and who created 17 world records, failed to win a single gold in the Olympics.After decades and centuries, future generation will not only remember Sachin for his spectacular and scintillating performances but also for his missing century after century narrowly. He is a genius and a class apart. EM Adithyan Edapal